TADCASTER Albion advanced to the second round qualifying of the Emirates FA Cup after a thrilling match against Heaton Stannington.

Mick O’Connell’s side fought to secure a 2-1 win to book their place in the next qualifying round, which is set to be drawn at 1pm on Monday afternoon with Vanarama National League North and South sides entering the draw.

As forecast, a hot sunny day greeted the players with the pitch again in prime condition. The Tadcaster squad was a full strength. The opposition was well represented by 120 travelling fans - the atmosphere was electric at the So-Trak Stadium.

From the first whistle, Heaton took the game to the Brewers and for the opening stages it was all one way.

However, the tide began to turn as Oliver Norman was starting to cause problems down the left flank but, a pass into the area on 14 minutes saw Luke Stewart miss-time his shot.

On twenty minutes Taddy had a valid shout for a penalty; again, a dangerous cross came in from Norman and in an attempt to clear, the ball hit a defender’s forearm but referee Robinson waived play on.

Norman again on a charge down the far side closed in on goalkeeper Brass, who did well to turn the shot away.

However, on the half hour, Tadcaster broke the deadlock. Another blistering run on the left flank saw Norman hit for home as he entered the six-yard box, and although Brass did enough to stop the attempt it fell to strikers’ feet and he made no mistake as he smashed the ball into the back of the net.

Stewart went close to doubling the advantage from the edge of the box on the back of Thirkell’s through ball but Brass read it well. 

One up for the Brewers was a fair score at the interval.

Heaton changed shape for the re-commencement, but despite a good start were caught on the break in the 51st minutes in what could already be a contender for goal of the season.

Sam Kitchen clipped the ball into the box, Lewis Stephens read it perfectly and coolly lobbed the keeper on the volley with the outside of his foot. An instinctive striker’s goal and a joy to watch for the home crowd.

That was far from the end of things;  with Joe Crosby on for Stewart, Heaton came back strongly with Konner Lamb capitalising on a defensive error but fortunately not bothering Joe Wilton as he quickly got down quickly to claim the ball in a one-on-one.

Whilst  Reid had a chance on 70 minutes but headed wide, there was nothing Wilton could do a minute later when Lamb delivered an unstoppable shot from just outside the box, halving the deficit and bringing the Stan back into the match.

Tadcaster were still looking for a third on the break and were denied by another dubious decision as Greenway broke from his own half but was penalised for offside. Crosby was clattered inches from the 18-yard line as he broke through the Stan defence but Thirkell’s curling free kick just cleared the bar.

AS the game entered  8 minutes of added time Wilton produced a quite outstanding double save; a stinging shot from the edge of the box through a packed area looked on its way for an equaliser but despite seeing it late, the Taddy shot-stopper got behind the ball.

However, as it spilled for the oncoming charge,  again, this time from point blank range, he managed to push it away for a corner.

Not for the faint hearted, Albion saw out the match to send them into Monday’s draw for the Second Round of the FA Cup.

This was a classic cup game with the two sets of supporters creating a wonderful atmosphere.

Tadcaster Albion: Wilton, Owen, McDaid, Thirkell, Qualter, Kitchen (Ibrahimi), Stewart( Crosby), Kay, Stephens, Greenway, Norman (Morris). Subs Not Used Hines, Hardcastle, Roper, Slater.