Josh Barrett celebrates his goal in Tadcaster’s 4-1 win over Worksop. Picture: Ian Parker
Tadcaster Albion gave their hard-working volunteers a happy-ending after storming to a 4-1 victory over rivals Worksop Town in the delayed FA Vase second round tie.
Tadcaster flew out of the blocks out and after an early Josh Barrett goal, the Brewers took their visitors apart. Adam Baker (2) and Nick Black went onto join him on the score-sheet.
The manner of the win, which books a trip to Sunderland RCA, was a testament to how hard everyone has worked in the past ten days.
The River Wharfe bursting its banks meant the pitch at i2i Sports Stadium was submerged under water. The social club was also affected.
A devastating situation for any club. Volunteers have worked around the clock since and credit also goes to the FA and Worksop for their understanding and patience during the crisis.
Worksop were expected to be the side that hit the front foot due to Tadcaster’s lack of recent action.
Instead it was the home side that capitalised on a slow start from Worksop. Star men Baker and Jimmy Beadle helped find Barrett on the right-hand-side of the penalty area and the forward dinked the ball over Worksop goalkeeper Jon Kennedy.
The chances flowed and Baker ended a long spell of dominance with a superb goal. Former Handsworth midfielder Steve Woolley lost possession in a dangerous area – allowing Baker to pull away, take on a defender and then pull the trigger.
Worksop showed a brief glimpse of a possible comeback at the end of the first half. However, their fans hopes soon went out of the window as Worksop signed their own death warrant.
Former Garforth striker Black got behind the visitors’ defence right at the start of the second half. He got round Kennedy and easily placed the ball into the empty net.
It was then definitely all over minutes later when Baker cut inside from the left wing and unleashed a vicious strike that was destined for the top corner from the moment it left his boot.
Worksop, who waved the white flag after Black’s goal, were fortunate that Kennedy kept his focus as Baker, Black and Carl Stewart had chances to add the fifth.
The away side did find a consolation through Woolley, but that was it from them on a heart-warming night for Tadcaster.
Tadcaster Albion: Stevens, Armstrong, Clayton, Heath, Anderson, Mycoe, Barrett (Conway 56), Ormsby (Stewart 69), Black, Beadle (captain), Baker (Thompson 90). Sub unused: Wrigglesworth.
Worksop Town: Kennedy, Woolley, Roe, Waddle (Cottingham 56), Hadfield, Peacock, Higginson (captain), Harrison, Husbands (Ward 62), Ofosu (Hobson 73), Elliott. Subs unused: Adam, Cooke.
Referee: Darren Whatling
Ref Rating: 10/10
Attendance: 307
Man of the match: Jimmy Beadle (Tadcaster Albion)