Tadcaster Albion manager Billy Miller
The stunning FA Vase victory over Worksop Town was one for everyone that helped make the pitch playable, according to Tadcaster Albion chief Billy Miller.
The second round tie finally went ahead on Wednesday night after an eleven day delay as the i2i Sports Stadium was submerged under water because of a flood.
Along with the pitch, the social club was also flooded, but a large band of volunteers spent countless hours to turn a crisis into a sea of jubilation.
“It’s a massive reward for anyone that has given up any minute of their time,” Miller said.
“I saw pictures of the Garforth chairman (Brian Close) down here. There was Roy, Mikey Morton’s granddad, Ian McManus down and when something like this happens, you need great leadership.
“This club has great leadership from the owners. I came down with Matt Heath the other day and myself, Matt, Jimmy Gore, Matt Gore, Danny Gore and Kent Mayall were all on the pitch picking up twigs and leafs.
“They’ve worked really, really hard to get the game on and then to see us beat one of the best teams in the league like that, it’s a great reward.”
Despite almost two weeks without a game, Tadcaster acclimatised straightaway and had the tie wrapped up by the hour mark.
Miller said: “The biggest thing about tonight’s result was that we were playing one of the teams that will be there or thereabouts come the end of the season.
“We needed to send a clear message.
“The lads have been absolutely superb. They adapted to the conditions a lot quicker.
“The game plan worked really well and but for their ‘keeper doing really well, it could have been a lot more.
“The lads have worked really hard. It’s a great set of lads. The cohesion in the dressing room is absolutely phenomenal at this moment in time.
“We have worked hard to get the club where it is, and to be top of the league and now into the FA Vase third round, they deserve it.”
Miller also agreed with the view that Worksop could have no complaints over the short notice. Because of the FA’s stimulations, both clubs only had 24 hours’ notice after the tie was postponed on Tuesday night.
Miller added: “If you spoke to their chairman and committee, they have been kept fully in the loop.
“The relationship between the two clubs is really, really good. (Chairman) Matt Gore has been on the phone to their chairman nearly every day.
“In these circumstances you get sympathy because it’s something that was completely out of the club’s control. It was so frustrating to look across the pitch and see all the hard work that has gone into the football pitch, to see the football club under that much water.
“You see it on the TV and you don’t expect to see it in your own back yard. You never know when it’s going to happen again.”
Tadcaster are scheduled to travel to Staveley Miners Welfare tomorrow afternoon.