TADCASTER Albion sprung a surprise on Northern Premier League premier division outfit Bradford (Park Avenue), sealing their place in the second round of the West Riding County Cup following a 5-2 victory.

On a warm night in Bradford, there were starts for Jordan Hines, James Moorby and Josh Hardcastle along with the return of Dan Thirkell. 

Conor Qualter was still nursing an injury as skipper Dan McDaid took up residence in the centre of the back four.

Despite a good start from Albion, it was the home side who looked the more dangerous with some fast running on and off the ball. 

Jodi Tiffany launched a thunderbolt from 25 yards which skimmed over the bar but on seven minutes some poor defending in the box gifted the Green Army the opening goal from Myles La Bastide. 

With a quarter of an hour played, Luke Jefferys volleyed just wide before play was interrupted by lengthy treatment needed to Josh Hardcastle who was replaced by Charlie Owen. 

Kieran Greenway saw an effort saved by Park Avenue’s Danny King, but the goalkeeper could do little to stop Dec Slater scoring his first Brewers goal a minute later.

Coldwell was cautioned for upending Ollie Norman as the Tadcaster man charged down the left flank, whilst Joel Auty gave away another free-kick, but Jordan Hines needed more height to head home from close range.

With Albion looking the team more likely to score, Bradford went close when Tiffany met Kersey’s corner but nodded it over. 

The home crowd were screaming for a penalty when the ball hit Thirkell’s hand on 32 minutes but the referee waved it away.

King made a vital save to deny Hines one-on-one before the last action of the half fell to Norman but his shot with the outside of his foot was not enough to beat the goalkeeper.

Tadcaster started the second half very much on the front foot with Greenway just wide with a low drive. 

And with 10 minutes of the half played, the Brewers seized their moment; Slater finding Moorby on the overlap before the Harrogate Town loanee coolly slid the ball under King for his first goal for the club.

The next action fell to the hosts, who were unlucky to see a looping effort which looked destined for the net instead rebound off the crossbar.

But O’Connell’s side would seal a comprehensive victory with three goals inside the final 19 minutes.

First, captain McDaid rose highest to head home from Greenway’s corner before new signing Tawheed Ahmed superbly bent the ball into the far corner from the left wing to extend Tadcaster’s lead.

Despite Hiram Romero preventing a goal-bound shot, Bradford did get a goal back on 85 minutes following a goal mouth scuffle, no more than they had deserved. 

But it was Tadcaster who had the final say in injury time as Crosby jumped on a loose ball and smashed it into the back of the net to complete the rout.

The Brewers return to league action when they welcome Emley to the SoTrak Stadium on Saturday (kick-off 3pm).