Tadcaster’s Liam Ormsby battles for the ball in their 1-0 defeat to Highworth Town. Picture: Ian Parker
Tadcaster Albion have vowed to bring those responsible for the crowd violence at the end of their FA Vase quarter-final replay defeat to Highworth Town to justice.
The game which finished 1-0 to Highworth was marred by the violent scenes after the final whistle.
A Tadcaster statement this morning said: “We are devastated with the scenes at the end of yesterday’s game. We will continue to work closely with the Police, Highworth Town and the FA.
“We are determined to bring those responsible to account.
“As a club we apologise to everyone who witnessed and were on the receiving end of totally unacceptable behaviour.
“We do however wish to thank the majority of the 1307 crowd who behaved impeccably.
“There will be a further statement released on Monday following a meeting of Club Directors and further liaison with the authorities.
“We wish Highworth Town and everyone involved with their great club continued success for the remainder of the season.”
Tadcaster got their record crowd – 1307 – for a game which has captured the imagination of the town.
Last week’s stalemate was played in difficult whereas this week both teams went for it in baking sunshine.
Tadcaster thought their moment had arrived on the stroke of half-time after Calum Ward was brought down by Tony Joyce in the penalty area.
Joyce stayed on the pitch despite a suspicion of him being the last man. Highworth goalkeeper Gary Stevens rubbed salt in the wounds by saving Ward’s penalty.
Tadcaster took another blow when goalkeeper Tom Morgan went off injured and his replacement Pete Lawrie had to deal with a lot of pressure.
But he could not stop Callum Parson’s thunderous strike which earned the Hellenic Premier Division side a priceless victory and a trip to North Shields.
Tadcaster Albion manager Paul Marshall:
“I thought they had a couple of good chances early doors and then we had a couple of half chances.
“Obviously we got the penalty and I’m saying the lad should have been sent off because it was a goal-scoring opportunity.
“The referee said it was a coming together and he didn’t have (the ball) it under control so that’s why he didn’t sent him off.
“It was nip and tuck in the second half, but we haven’t been good enough in front of goal today and that let us down.
On the scenes at the end of game:
“I feel really sick about has happened so there needs to be a full inquiry into it.
“I’m disappointed to lose the game but I’m even more upset with what happened after the game.
“As I got there, there was a young fan goading all our fans and then one of our fans went on an rugby tackled him for some unknown reason.
“It all then seemed to kick off. People were trying to hold others back and then there was a few punches thrown, which was very unsavoury and not what we want to see at non league football.”
Tadcaster Albion: Morgan (Lawrie 50),Bissett, Miller, Ormsby, Stimpson, Milne, Barrett (Dhesi 80), Thompson, Ward (Brown 78), Stewart, Greening. Subs unused: Patterson, Claisse.
Highworth Town: Stevens, Aitkenhead, Jackson, Taylor, Wadieh, King, Joyce, Davolile, Bohane, Parsons, Clarke. Subs unused: Orewitt, Blackford, Tate, Hunt, Eggleton.
Referee: Martin Coy
Attendance: 1307