Tadcaster Albion poised for big FA Cup date after flood clean up (From York Press)

Tadcaster Albion poised for big FA Cup date after flood clean up

10:39am Friday 5th October 2012 in Sport By Steve Carroll, Sports reporter

Tadcaster Albion are hoping they can be this year’s surprise package in the FA Cup.

The Brewers host Boston United in the third qualifying round tomorrow just one step away from coming up against non-League’s top tier sides and two matches from reaching the first round proper.

It is one of the biggest matches ever to be staged at Ings Lane, and Marshall is hoping his talented group of youngsters can stun the former Football League team, currently plying their trade in Blue Square Bet North.

Marshall, who led Harrogate Railway to the second round of the competition a decade ago, watched as his men came within minutes of knocking out Halifax Town last season and he believes a similar performance will see them progress.

Hard work has gone on behind the scenes to clear the Albion pitch and clubhouse, which was under water when the recent floods struck North Yorkshire and the Tadcaster boss paid tribute to those who have made sure the game will go ahead.

“The pitch is clear,” he said. “We don’t want too much more rain or it will be heavy but the lads have worked remarkably well to try to get the game on. The clubhouse was flooded but it has dried out and the tiles are back down. We think they will bring about 200 and, although York are playing as well, we hope people come down to watch.

“It is a massive game. Every year there is a surprise package – a team that does well in the FA Cup. I did it ten years ago with Railway and I’m boring the lads by telling the same story over and over again.

“I’ve told them that you have to make your own history and this is the ideal opportunity. If we play like we did against Skelmersdale, in the last round, we will give Boston a good game.”

Marshall will be without Terry Taylor, who is suspended after picking up five bookings, while new signing Ryan Williams is cup-tied. George Bissett is still a doubt with an ankle injury but, otherwise, Tadcaster are at full strength and much will depend on the likes of Ryan Qualter, Nick Thompson and Charlie Binns.

Harrogate Town are also in FA Cup action. The Wetherby Roaders, who saw off West Auckland 5-1 in a second qualifying round replay in midweek, entertain Frickley.

Pickering Town boss Jimmy Reid has made seven-day approaches for a number of players as he looks to revitalise his flagging Northern Counties East League premier division side.

The Pikes have local pride to play for tomorrow, as well as looking to erase the memory of their 2-1 midweek loss at Staveley Miners Welfare, when they lost Scarborough Athletic at the Recreation Ground.

New signing Tom Clarke, a student at York University, will be in the squad and Reid is hoping he will soon be joined by former Pike Gary Hepples, from Scarborough, Askern Villa’s Dale Holding and an as yet unnamed player from Bridlington Town.

“On a good day they are a very good team but there has been too many bad days,” the Pikes boss said of his moves into the transfer market. “I am strengthening the squad and I will have a total of five new players coming in.

“We need to get away from the bottom but, tomorrow, I’ll be sticking with the boys who played against Staveley. Overall, we have lost half a team since the end of last season and we are looking to kick-start our campaign.”

Pickering will come up against two players who defected in the summer with former skipper Tom Adams and Joel Ramm both playing for Scarborough. Reid will also be without Tom Fenwick, who is getting married, but welcomes back Steve Baxter.

Selby Town must shake off the Jekyll and Hyde performances, reckons club secretary Tommy Arkley, as they go to Dinnington in NCEL division one.

Appleby Frodingham picked up their first win of season when Nathan Holtby’s 89th-minute header secured three points at Flaxley Road and manager Phil Jones’ men then crashed out of the West Riding County Cup on Tuesday in a 2-0 defeat at Evo-Stik outfit Ossett Albion.

Club chiefs were pleased with the effort shown against Albion, with Selby level at the break and only finished off by Alex Booker’s stoppage time goal.

“If Selby can start to produce the effort and commitment shown against a very good Evo-Stik side every week then their season should improve. That has to start tomorrow at Dinnington,” said Arkley.

Harrogate Railway, meanwhile, host Lancaster City in Evo-Stik League division one north.