FA Trophy
Glossop North End 2-0 Tadcaster Albion
Glossop striker Mike Norton was one of Tadcaster’s nemesis’ in the FA Trophy tie. Picture: Matthew Appleby
Glossop North End gained revenge on Tadcaster for the recent their league defeat as goals in either half from Mike Norton and Max Leonard sent the former FA Vase finalists through.
The Hillmen nudged ahead in the first half after half an hour when Norton kept his cool from seven yards before Leonard made sure of the win fourteen minutes from time after capitalising on a miscued clearance.
Tadcaster made two changes to the side that drew with Bamber Bridge as Rob Youhill and Tom Corner earned recalls. New signing Josh Grant went straight into the squad and was joined on the bench by Adam Baker who was back after two weeks away.
Physical frontman Corner was back in the side and almost back in the goals after just seven minutes. He fought off the challenge of Eddie Moran before firing inches wide from 23 yards out.
Speaking of Moran, it was he who had the first effort on target of the afternoon after driving forward and striking well but straight at Michael Ingham.
The Brewers created the better of the chances in the opening half hour but it was a very even cup tie in terms of possession and there was very little between the two sides.
The man in the middle Nik Storey had his first big decision to make just shy of the half hour mark as Jamie Rainford knocked the ball past Jason Mycoe and went to ground asking for a penalty. They were adamant that it was a clear penalty however Mr. Storey saw a different story to the home bench.
Rainford was at the centre of attention once again three minutes later. The Glossop top scorer was about to head on target but Andy Milne stormed across with a brilliant clearing header.
Glossop then made their mini-spell count as they broke the deadlock in the 38th minute. When a corner kick was cleared out to Moran, he skewed his shot but fortunately for the Hillmen it rolled into the path of Norton who stroked into the bottom corner from six yards out.
There were suspicions of offside but these were soon diminished as Sellars played the forward onside.
Taddy responded well though and were almost back on level terms as the clock struck 45. Youhill’s clipped cross was flicked on by Mycoe and impressively struck goal-wards by Conor Sellars but a superb reactions save from Matthew Cooper denied the former Boro man.
Another good chance came several seconds later from the resulting corner as Sellars deep delivery was headed narrowly over the mark by Milne.
The second half started in frantic fashion with both sides looking to stamp their authority on the cup tie.
It was the home side who threatened to extend their lead as Leonard thundered a close range shot off the crossbar.
Fatlum Ibrahimi was making just his third start of the season and it was the midfielder who almost put the Brewers on level terms but his strike was deflected just off target by Mo Ali.
With Gregg Anderson away, this meant that Josh Barrett moved across into the heart of defence and he put in a faultless display alongside Milne who is consistently a top performer.
Miller’s men were still creating chances to draw level and almost did just that on the hour mark. It would have been a somewhat fortunate goal as Sellars’ free-kick wickedly deflected into the path of Corner who reacted well but guided wide.
This was probably Taddy’s best spell of the cup tie but credit to Glossop who were defending well and holding on to their lead. Captain Sam Barnes launched himself in the way of a sweet Jono Greening volley from inside the area.
However with fourteen minutes to go Glossop doubled their lead and had one foot in the next round.
Steve Jeff failed to fully clear a long throw-in by Karl Jones and Leonard pounced and swept into the bottom left-hand corner.
The second goal for Glossop sparked Taddy into life and they themselves wanted a penalty with eleven minutes to go as Corner looked to have been brought down by goalkeeper Matthew Cooper but again nothing was given.
But in the end Glossop held on to the victory which sees Taddy depart the FA Trophy.
The Team
Tadcaster Albion: Ingham, Mycoe (Binns 82), Jeff, Milne, Barrett, Ibrahimi (Baker 71), Youhill, Jono Greening (captain), Corner, Josh Greening, Sellars. Subs Unused: Thirkell, Shepherd, Grant.
Thanks to Jay Taylor