A CAPTAIN’S example has been cited by Tadcaster Albion boss Paul Marshall as critical to the Brewers advancing to Wembley.

Albion host Highworth Town in their FA Vase quarter-final replay tomorrow and with an historic appearance beneath the arch looming, arch-competitor Nick Thompson is the man to follow.

Recalling last week’s 1-1 draw in Wiltshire, Albion manager Marshall said: “Nick Thompson, in his first game back, was absolutely outstanding. If everyone led like the captain does we would win most games of football.”

Other Brewers excelled in forcing the replay with Marshall adding: “Andy Milne was unbelievable. There were some really good performances.

“The front lads, Calum Ward and Carl Stewart, really put a shift in and that’s why I picked them in front of one or two others. These players, who have been with me for a while, know what it means to me.

“The incentive is that there is still a massive prize. We can’t get away from that. We have all got to keep our heads and make the right decisions - on and off the field.”

Albion’s drive to edge closer to Wembley could be fuelled by the support of a record crowd at Ings Lane with the manager eager to capitalise on home advantage and erase the memories of a disappointing midweek Northern Counties East League premier division defeat to Thackley for the leaders.

“A lot of people have got behind us and picked us as their second team,” he said, noting how both York City and Leeds United are away this weekend.

“We have got home advantage and we have always said we would fancy ourselves in a two-legged game which, in a sense, this is. We have drawn 1-1 down there and now we are going to win.”

On the home support he wants to inspire his side to a last-four berth, he added: “We want to beat the biggest ever crowd at Tadcaster, which was 1,000.

“We have had 600 in this season and we want to give them something to really shout about. We will go out there full of confidence and take the game to them.”

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HOMING IN: Tadcaster Albion’s Josh Barrett is just denied by a last-ditch tackle against Highworth

Asked what he had learned about Highworth from the first encounter, Marshall added: “I thought they had four or five really good players who can cause a lot of teams problems.

“They have got their flaws as well and they are something we will try to work on.”

In what was hardly the best preparation, the Brewers were disappointing against Thackley, losing a 1-0 first-half lead at home, but Marshall is taking the positives - believing his team will be motivated to put things right against Highworth.

He said: “We were in the dressing room until 10pm on Tuesday and had a good heart-to-heart. A lot of things were said but it will be turned into a positive.”

Centre-half Denny Ingram is struggling with a hamstring injury but Paddy Miller has now completed a three-match suspension and will slot in at left-back.

Marshall said: “He can play now and give us a natural balance on the left-hand side.”

Carl Stewart and Calum Ward, rested for the Thackley defeat, are also expected to return to the starting line-up.