Tadcaster Albion shock Farsley Celtic to reach County Cup QF

Goalkeeper Hiram Romero was given a full outing against the Vanarama National League North side - managed by former York City striker Clayton Donaldson - whilst James Moorby wore the number three shirt with captain Dan McDaid still on the injury list.

Farsley showed their attacking intent early on, with Ryan Watson beating the offside trap and blasting over the bar, before a good exchange between Donaldson and Jordan Carroll saw the latter denied by an alert Romero.

Tadcaster’s first foray forward came just before the 20-minute mark, with Kieran Greenway released into the box, but the referee blew for a foul.

Minutes later, Oli Norman went on a marauding run down the left wing, but Joe Crosby was just behind his cross from the byline.

As the half reached its mid-point, the Brewers’ best chance came to Norman, who found himself one-on-one with Harry Allen, but the Farsley goalkeeper just reached the ball first by a whisker.

Crosby then missed his chance from a precision pass in the area by Greenway.

Farsley then began to come back into the contest, Romero producing a double save from a Celts corner which was hammered back into the six-yard box, only to hit the upright and bounce into the grateful goalkeeper’s arms.

Seconds later, the visitors saw another goal-bound effort claimed by a close-range reaction save from the Brewers’ shot stopper.

With game now evenly poised, Tadcaster’s front three were causing havoc for the Farsley defence.

Norman’s defence splitter to Crosby was foiled by Allen whilst Charlie Owen’s ball to the Albion striker was cleared.

With four minutes remaining before the interval, Romero denied Jack Evans’ low shot from 12 yards, but as Albion broke, Crosby was clattered by Rudy Misambo.

The hosts continued to press, but Allen was there to deny them, with the goalless half-time score a fair reflection of play.

Farsley started the second half on the front foot, but within five minutes of the restart, Tadcaster were ahead.

Crosby’s inch-perfect pass put Norman through on goal, and as Allen came rushing off his line, the Albion marksman coolly slotted the ball into the back of the net to give his side the lead.

Farsley set about looking for an equaliser immediately, and with 55 minutes played, Joao Silva had a fantastic chance at the far post to do so, but could only launch the ball well over the crossbar.

The visitors continued to press, and for a time, it was unrelenting.

A cross into the home box was begging for contact but somehow eluded their forwards, whilst the Tadcaster wall held strong from a free kick with a little under 20 minutes left to play.

The Brewers had chances to extend their lead, not least from a strong penalty shout when Norman was upended in the box, but claims were waved away by the referee.

Jordan Hines made sure of victory for Tadcaster deep into stoppage time. (Image: Craig Dinsdale)

With time dwindling away, Farsley threw the kitchen sink at Tadcaster but whatever the challenge, Romero was equal to it.

A shot from close range looked on its way but a last-ditch reactive save by the Albion ‘keeper kept their lead intact, before Sam Kay cleared Dylan Youmbi’s dangerous cross.

Having weathered the Celts’ storm, two opportunities fell to Crosby, who saw his shot deflected for a corner, the Brewers then having another penalty shout ignored as he was felled inside the box.

And they had Romero to thank for denying their opponents a last-minute equaliser, the shot-stopper saving brilliantly from Michael Coulson.

But in the sixth minute of stoppage time, Tadcaster did put the game to bed, Greenway setting up Jordan Hines for a simple tap-in.

Tadcaster return to NCEL premier division action against Barton Town on Friday evening (7:45pm).