Selby Town striker Danny Gray helped push Tadcaster Albion all the way to a penalty shootout in the West Riding County Cup
Brave Selby Town pushed Toolstation NCEL Premier Division leaders Tadcaster Albion all the way in the West Riding County Cup quarter-final tie at i2i Sports Stadium.
Selby lost 4-2 in the penalty shootout after the scores remained level at 3-3 after 30 minutes of extra-time which had been forced by a last gasp goal from the visitors.
Despite the huge gap in league positions between the two sides, Selby had their two giant-killing acts against Ossett Albion and Guiseley as reasons to believe that Taddy could be beaten.
By the 22nd minute, five goals had been scored and the spree was started by Selby, who silenced the large Tadcaster support inside 60 seconds.
Selby struck first with a Chris Dickman corner being headed home by Matty Start before Tadcaster equalised with a replica goal – Jonathan Greening the provider and Paddy Miller the goal-scorer.
But, Selby kept going and former Tadcaster legend Danny Gray, back in the Selby side, weaved his way past two defenders to score with an excellent finish.
Josh Barrett put Taddy level again by showing great bravery to put his neck on the line and score as Selby goalkeeper Arran Reid, who started the season at Taddy, rushed out.
Greening also claimed the assist for Barrett’s second goal as the home side went in front for the first time of the game.
The midfielder cut the Selby defence open with an excellent through ball and Barrett slid it past Reid.
Selby dropped deep and struggled to attack as the game wore-on. Young pretender Start broke through clear, but fired straight at Taddy goalkeeper Pete Lawrie.
Tadcaster had created enough pressure to kill the visitors – Josh Greening missed the most glorious chance of the second half with a simple tap-in which was saved by Reid.
Selby Town manager Dave Ricardo ran straight into the arms of Danny Bunch after his side’s 92nd minute equaliser
Selby upped the ante as time was running out with Jamie Forrester having an effort cleared off-the-line so it was unsurprising when the equaliser arrived in the second minute of injury-time.
Tadcaster failed to deal with the ball inside their penalty area and the ball landed at the feet of Danny Bunch and the midfielder fired a low shot towards the far post and into the net.
Jubilant Selby boss Dave Ricardo came racing out of his technical area to celebrate – running straight into the arms of his hero Bunch.
It meant a lot to Selby and they comfortably held on during extra-time to take the game to a shootout.
Liam Ormsby and Calum Ward made no mistake and so did Gray and Bunch after two spot kicks each.
Miller put Taddy in the ascendancy again before Ryan Robinson saw his penalty saved by Lawrie.
Andy Milne piled the pressure further on and Selby’s hopes were over when Start blazed the ball over the crossbar.
It was a sad end to the night for Selby, who now have to take their cup form into the league.
For Taddy, a semi-final tie with either Bradford (Park Avenue) or Farsley AFC awaits.
Tadcaster Albion: Lawrie, Bissett, Miller, Hope, Milne, Claisse (Ormsby 70), Thompson (Gore 71), Jonathan Greening (Ward 65), Barrett, Dhesi, Josh Greening. Sub unused: Mitchell.
Selby Town: Reid, Dickman (Horsman 70), Binns, Forrester, Turnbull, Reilly (Mortimer 82), Jackson, Bunch, Gray, Robinson, Start. Subs unused: Thane, O’Connor.
Referee: Dave Storrie (Leeds)
Ref Rating: 8/10
Attendance: 252
Man of the match: Matty Start (Selby Town)
Look out for Selby Town manager Dave Ricardo’s verdict on the game and his side’s current form tomorrow.