Around 120 Stan fans inside the warm and sun filled SO TRACK Stadium, Tadcaster, to witness the end of their FA Cup run, conceding a goal in each half, with an outstanding goal from Konnor Lamb to bring on a late recovery, but the hosts managed to hang on.
The first 9 minutes almost summed up the whole match, with Tadcaster never getting out of their own half, but Stan failed to create any opening. On 10 minutes Lamb on the right, with space, tried to put the ball over keeper Joe Wilton, but it flew over the bar.
Joe Shepherd came to Stan‘ s rescue on 14 minutes, cutting out a cross from the left, from Oliver Norman, 2 minutes later and Craig Scott was injured in a great tackle as the Brewers broke at speed.
25 minutes and the dangerous Norman moved down the left flank cut inside with his low goal bound shot turned around Lewis Brass’s post. Brass tipped the resultant corner over his bar to concede another corner, which was headed away to Sam Kitchen, but his shot flew only inches over the bar.
It was no surprise when Tadcaster opened the scoring on 30 minutes with that man Martin involved, his pass through to Kitchen with his cross from the by line put home by Kieran Greenway. 0-1
Lamb won the ball on the right, moved forward but his low shot flew across goal and wide.
Lewis Stephens challenged Danny Sayer as he moved forward, with Sayer down with blood again spilled by the Stan defender. He was able to continue, but on 40 minutes he again was felled, holding his head, whilst play continued. Stan players were rightly annoyed by the referees late stopping of play whilst their man lay on the ground with a head injury. He could not continue, so Louis Anderson replaced him, with Dan Stephenson reverting to left back.
No doubt stats would prove Stan had the most possession but their predictable and slow build up play helped the Brewers line up with two banks of four to thwart the Stan’ s attacks. Not one shot on target in the first half from Stan!
HT 1-0
Stan now attacked the end where most of their supporters were gathered.
Scott was elbowed in the face almost straight away, but he recovered after treatment. No card.
On 51 minutes another well worked breakaway by the Brewers, with a pin point cross from the left, again, with Sam Kay clever flick gave Brass no chance. 0-2
Anderson shot deflected for a corner, then a golden chance for Lamb as he left 3 defenders behind but his tame shot was collected by Wilton.
A flare up as Leighton Hopper was fouled by right back, Charlie Owen. Reid was booked as he continued to make his case.
Jordan Lashley replaced Andy Burn on on 64 minutes, and things got better. He linked up well with Lamb, with Lashley’s drive saved. A good run by Hopper who won a corner, headed out to Richie Slaughter but he blazed high over the bar. Tadcaster were content to leave most of their players defending, playing down the clock and looking for a breakaway. Their captain, Connor Qualter was booked for a foul on Lamb, the referee not changing the colour of his card when he kicked the ball away to deny Stan taking a quick free kick. Sarcastic cheers from Stan fans! Stephenson took the free kick, throw in won, with Stephenson crossing with Shepherd heading over.
On 71 mins Lamb on the left, moved inside and hit an unstoppable shot into the top far corner. 2-1.
Could Stan get another and fight again at Grounsell Park?
Well, they tried, with Reid in the final minutes hit a very good shot which Wilton broke the Stan fans hearts with a terrific save.
Heaton Stannington receive £750 as losers, and look forward to an away NL 1 trip to West Auckland on Saturday.
Heaton Stannington: Brass, Evans, Stephenson, Sayer (Anderson 40), Scott, Shepherd, Burn (Lashley 64), Slaughter (C), Lamb, Reid, Hopper.
Unused Subs: Cassidy, Corkhil, Walker, Hornsby, J. Turnbull.
Goals: Lamb 71.
Supporters Man Of The Match:
Yellow Cards: Stephenson, Slaughter, Reid, Anderson.
Red Cards: None.
Referee: Michael Robinson.
Assistants:.
Attendance: 289.
Venue: i2i Stadium, Ings Lane, Tadcaster LS24 9AY
Brian Pratt.