Toolstation NCEL League Cup
Knaresborough Town 1-3 Tadcaster Albion
Former Leeds United striker Richard Cresswell wins a header during Tadcaster’s 3-1 win at Knaresborough
Tadcaster Albion advanced into the semi-finals after a Carl Stewart hat-trick saw off nearby neighbours Knaresborough Town.
With games coming thick and fast to say the least over the next fortnight, TAFC boss Billy Miller made no fewer than eight changes to the side that beat Handsworth Parramore. The Brewers had Seb Carole and Richard Cresswell making their debuts along with Matt Heath and Jonathan Greening also back in from the start.
From the experienced to the inexperienced as U21 players Ryan Woodhead and 17-year old Casey Stewart, who only knew about starting ten minutes before kick-off due to Nick Black pulling up in the warm-up, were both given game time at Manse Lane. The cup tie started off in a cagey manner with both sides finding their feet without creating any chances.
Carole, Cresswell and Greening were all heavily involved in Tadcaster’s early play and with ten minutes gone the former Leeds United and Stoke City forward came within a few inches of finding the back of the net.
The home side were massively up for the contest as you’d expect and it was never going to be a walkover with Town looking up towards the play-offs in Division One.
20 goal striker Brad Walker got his first sight of goal after quarter of an hour played. A long goal kick was flicked into Walker’s path but the talisman was yet to find his range as he pulled his half-volley way wide.
Knaresborough were dealt a blow to their chances shortly after Walker’s effort as the highly rated Will Lenehan was forced off with a shoulder injury after a collision with Cresswell.
Taddy did however strike blood first in the Quarter-Final with less than half an hour played. Former Knaresborough man Carole drove beyond Rodgers in a central position before guiding a perfectly weighted through ball to Carl Stewart who impressively fired low into the near corner past Jack Rushworth.
The goal certainly didn’t faze Knaresborough’s game plan as they bounced back positively from going behind.
Jack Atkinson tried his luck from 30 yards but his strike was straight at Stevens in the Taddy goal and then Fatlum Ibrihimi pulled out a bicycle kick to set up Walker who also went for the acrobatics but fizzed just over.
Knaresborough were giving a thoroughly account of themselves but their hard work was undone by some quality play by The Brewers. Cresswell got up highest to flick beyond the Town defence to set up Carl Stewart who coolly flicked the ball over the falling Rushworth.
Stewart, who has had a frustrating season hampered by injury was looking ravenous for goals at Manse Lane and the forward almost completed a first-half hat-trick but struck over the target from inside the penalty area.
With the quality that Tad have, they are always a threat going forward and Cresswell rolled back the years in the 65th minute after driving at the heart of the Knaresborough defence before a mixture of Pascal of Rodgers brought the target man down. The referee had a decision to make as it looked incredibly close to being inside the penalty area, after reviewing the video replay immediately it is still difficult to tell but it looks as though Cresswell is just inside.
However with that being said, referee Craig Hansworth pointed to a free-kick and not a penalty. Stewart stepped up as he looked for his all-important third goal. The striker nonchalantly chipped the ball towards the top right-hand corner to which Jack Rushworth impressively clawed out.
The home side kept plugging away though and really should have been back in the cup tie but the usually deadly Walker somehow slid wide from four yards with the goal gaping.
Walker must have been kicking himself about his missed opportunity but would have felt even worse when Taddy put the game to bed with seven minutes to go.
The Brewers were awarded a penalty kick after Toby Lees was adjudged to have deliberately handled the ball.
There were no surprises who picked up the ball to take the spot-kick, yep it was of course Carl Stewart who emphatically stroked past the Rushworth to complete his hat-trick.
The home side did however pull a consolation goal back in the dying embers. Stevens produced a magnificent save to keep out the hard-working Walker but unfortunately for Taddy’s back line and Stevens, Lees swiftly hooked into the back of the net to get Knaresborough on the score board.
Knaresborough Town: Rushworth, Lees, Rodgers, Lenehan (captain), Maulin, Bradley, Parkes, Ibrahimi, Walker, Lancaster, Atkinson. Subs: Heath, Pascal, Joyce, Radcliffe.
Tadcaster Albion: Stevens, Armstrong, Woodhead, Milne (captain), Heath, Mycoe, Carole (Barrett 80), Jonathan Greening, Carl Stewart, Cresswell, Casey Stewart. Subs Unused: Corner, Anderson, Baker, Clayton.