Colne celebrate Ben Hoskin’s goal which broke Tadcaster’s resistence
Jordan Armstrong’s red card was the turning point in Tadcaster Albion’s 5-2 defeat to Colne in the Emirates FA Cup Preliminary Round tie.
Armstrong was dismissed for denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity after handling Danny Boyle’s goal-bound strike close to half-time.
Boyle converted the spot kick to level the scores at 2-2. From there it was an uphill battle for Tadcaster, who had to play with ten men for 65 minutes.
The Toolstation NCEL Premier Division side were holding out for a replay until three goals in the final quarter of an hour sent Colne through to play Consett in the next round.
The match had started so brightly for the home side as Josh Greening’s superb free kick was met with an equally as good header from Matt Heath, who found the top corner inside four minutes.
Tadcaster appeared on course for victory when Matt Heath
Tadcaster celebrate Heath’s goal
Liam Ormsby punches the air after scoring from the penalty spot
The turning point
Tadcaster seemed in control until three penalties in quick succession changed the course of the game.
The first one was extremely harsh. Referee Andrew Dunne was perfectly positioned, but was arguably conned when Colne’s Ben Allen went down far too easily in the box from an alleged push by former Leeds United defender Matt Heath. Boyle kept his nerve during the waiting and sent the ball down the middle to equalise.
Tadcaster then went straight up the other end and were awarded a spot kick of their own as Jimmy Beadle was tripped. Liam Ormsby put Tadcaster back in front from 12 yards.
Poor defending helped set up the decisive moment. Colne were on the prowl for a second equaliser inside a crowded penalty area when goalkeeper Gary Stevens flew out his goal. Stevens recklessly dived to the ground in front of Chris Anderson and was unable to win the ball. That left him in no man’s land and he could only watch as the ball was squared to Allen, whose shot was heading for the goal. Right-back Armstrong, on the goal-line, threw himself at it, but the ball inadvertently struck his arm. Referee Dunne had no choice, but to send Armstrong for an early bath.
Allen got his second goal from the spot and from there on it was a case of trying to take the game back to Colne for Tadcaster.
Tadcaster Albion boss Billy Miller wasn’t impressed with referee Andrew Dunne’s performance
Game over: Colne celebrate one of their late goals
Adam Baker’s well-struck strike was a notable moment in the early stages of the second half for Tadcaster.
But they were unable to keep the pressure up as the half wore on and Colne were soon dictating the game. At times, the visitors’ defensive line was as high up as the halfway line.
Goalkeeper Stevens did his best by making two excellent stops from Allen and then from Kieran Demaine’s free kick.
He couldn’t stop Ben Hoskin’s 30-yard thunderbolt which broke Tadcaster’s resistance and set a well-organised, but average Colne side on their way.
Most Tadcaster fans retained hope that their side could rescue a replay in the dying minutes.
However, that was soon extinguished when Allen got his goal and then Anderson rubbed salt into the wounds with number five.
Had Armstrong not been sent off then Tadcaster would have probably gone through.
Tadcaster Albion manager Billy Miller:
“The second half was about trying to get a replay.
“We said at half-time that we didn’t need to win the game today because we knew we would be under the cosh and that it would be difficult.
“It was about trying to see the game out. Colne are second in their league for a reason and they haven’t been beat for a reason and to ask us to go 60 minutes was a massive ask.
“What we take is that it was a massive test of character for us.”
On the Jordan Armstrong red card: “It changed the whole complex of the game.
“Although the official didn’t have the greatest of games, in that situation I do feel for him because if he is allowed to look at the incident and use his discretion then a penalty and a yellow card would suffice.
“You’re going punished three times for the same incident because we had the red card and we lose a player. They score from the penalty and then we lose the player in two week’s time.”
On Colne’s first penalty: “I thought the first two penalties were really harsh.
“I did think there was some contact on Jimmy for our penalty, but I wouldn’t have been massively surprised if he had waved it away.
“For Colne’s first penalty, that kind of challenge happens in the box in every corner and set-piece so to give it I thought it was a bit harsh.
“No-one appealed, apart from their fans behind the goal. I didn’t think he was going to give it, but he had another look. You would have to speak to him about it.”
Tadcaster Albion: Stevens, Armstrong, Miller, Heath (captain), Milne, Ormsby, Baker (Conway 82), Claisse, Black (Barrett 64), Beadle, Greening (Clayton 82). Subs unused: Woodhead, Beeston.
Colne: Thompson, Hoskin, Williams, Coleman (Berwick 70), Morrison, Nangle (captian), Demaine, Anderson, Hart (Taylor 74), Boyle, Allen (Bailey 84). Subs unused: Davy, Young, Cunningham.
Referee: Andrew Dunne
Ref Rating: 6/10
Attendance: 243
Man of the match: Ben Allen (Colne)