Callum Ward excels for Tadcaster Albion (From York Press)

Callum Ward excels for Tadcaster Albion

10:47am Monday 24th September 2012 in Sport

TADCASTER Albion were today eagerly awaiting the next round of the FA Cup after a Callum Ward-inspired knockout conquest.

Ward walloped visitors Skelmersdale of the Evo-Stik League 4-1 with a handsome hat-trick to propel the Northern Counties East League premier division outfit into the third qualifying round.

Albion needed just 11 minutes to break the deadlock when Steven Jeffs converted a penalty. Ward got the first of his triple treat ten minutes later only for the lead to be halved when Joshua Hind notched for the Merseyside visitors on the 27th minute.

But in the second half Ward struck twice, shortly after half-time and just after the hour to seal a momentous win for manager Paul Marshall’s men.

The Albion ranks were joined in today's third round qualifying draw by Harrogate Town. But they will first have to negotiate a home replay tomorrow night after drawing 2-2 at West Auckland Town.

Top scorer Chib Chilaka bagged a brace to put the visitors in control, but West Auckland countered with a controversial penalty and then a leveller in the dying exchanges to force tomorrow's resumption of hostilities.

Pickering Town were back to their best to hammer Hall Road Rangers 4-1 to move up the NCEL premier division.

And they too boasted a hat-trick ace in Tom Fenwick.

Joe Danby opened the scoring for the Pikes on 17 minutes and within 20 minutes Fenwick had hit a brace.

A Johnny Slater penalty pierced the home back-line but five minutes into the second half Fenwick’s third effectively clinched the points for manager Jimmy Reid’s men.

Title-chasing Scarborough Athletic also notched a four-strike tally to shade a thriller by the odd goal of seven at Nostell Miners Welfare. Patrick Miller (2) and Ryan Blott scored within eight late second-half minutes after an early Tony Hackworth strike.

Anguish deepened for Selby Town , whose 3-0 defeat at Worsbrough Bridge left them marooned second from bottom of the first division.