Wednesday 21st December 2011
by TERRY DAMMS
NCEL President's Cup Qtr Final: Tadcaster 4 - 3 Staveley MWFC
 In what must have been one of the most exciting and enjoyable games this season, Staveley MWFC were edged out in the quarter finals of the NCEL Presidents Cup by 4-3 at Tadcaster Albion FC.
Staveley had endured some problems even mustering a bare dozen players together.
Richard Patterson travelled but was unwell on the night, leaving just young Adam Houghton on the bench. With 3 first team players unavailable, their named replacements and several reserve team players issued late notice of their unavailability to travel, which is very disappointing and placed extreme, unnecessary pressure on those 12 players who were able to play.
With several players playing out of position, the dozen players were instructed to have a go at Tadcaster as it was felt put under pace and pressure, the normally resilient and miserly Tadcaster defence would become beatable, and so it proved.
Unfortunately for Staveley they forgot the rest of the instructions which were 'not to make mistakes and stop Tadcaster scoring' - as it was - it was not so much about Tadcaster scoring but how individual errors cost Staveley.
In a game full of goals, incidents and 90 odd minutes of enthralling stuff, both sides must be given credit for giving their all on a very difficult surface and providing superb entertainment for the crowd of 54 who had braved the exceptionally cold December night's temperatures and who at the end of it had had more than their money's worth.
Tadcaster started off meaning business and looking to get an early lead to aid their attempt to hold onto the Presidents Cup they won last season.
Against the run of play however, Staveley went up top and took the lead when Joe Thornton, forced into playing centrally, took a great pass through and slipped the ball superbly past the keeper to give Staveley an 11th minute lead.
That lasted just 11-minutes, but not before Staveley's quick free kick gave a chance to Ryan Damms, but with Tadcaster dawdling and signalling to the ref's assistant for an offside flag, the chance went astray for Staveley.
On 22 minutes, a wayward attempted one-two was seized upon by Tadcaster and the cross was put into the path of Danny Gray who had the simplest of tasks to equalize.
If that was not enough, Staveley handed Tadcaster a second goal, this time trying to play out of defence, Kyle Fores-Chambers lost possession and Danny Gray again was handed an early Christmas present.
The game continued to go from end to end with Tadcaster's work rate off the ball probably being the best witnessed by Staveley all season and again, credit to them as a team for working so hard.
However, underestimate Staveley and give them space, and you may find they can sting you back. That is exactly what happened on 40 minutes with some good interplay again, Joe Thornton burst through and calmly slotted the ball home to make it 2 - 2 and the crowd were enjoying an early Christmas feast of goals.
With the pitch deteriorating badly through the recent rainfall, both sets of players were having difficulties in keeping their balance and tackles had to be well timed on such a difficult surface.
Tadcaster were pressing for the lead and forced an early corner in the 51st minute. Disaster struck again when, coming out and calling for the ball, Ian Deakin just failed to get through the crowded 6 yard area and Robert Pell's header travelled agonisingly over the line for Tadcaster's third gift.
Now any side that scores 3 goals away must think that it is game set and match.
But, on 65 minutes, Andrew Fox put in a great challenge, nicking the ball away from the Tady Captain, played in Joe Thornton who again, was causing mayhem down the right, beating the full back, then cutting in, the shot looked on but unselfishly he slipped the ball back to Jordan Eagers and the Staveley midfielder calmly slipped the ball into the net to make it 3 - 3.
It had been and continued to be a pulsating encounter. Tadcaster breaking with pace and menace were at times, the victim of their own tactics and Staveley continued to look as dangerous as the game headed towards the prospect of extra time and penalties.
Joe Thornton, after a magnificent effort was substituted for Adam Houghton, and on 87 minutes, the young substitute beat his man and sped down the left flank, powered into the area and played the ball back to Andrew Fox who chopped the ball back, putting the defender on his backside, and the passage into the semi final seemed on but, the Tadcaster goalkeeper pulled off a great stop.
Tadcaster broke straight back, splitting the Staveley defence who stood appealing unsuccessfully for offside and Carl Stewart ran in on goal, curling the ball around Ian Deakin for a goal to take it to 4 - 3.
Pushing all 10-outfield players up, Staveley went for the injury time equaliser but it never came and it was Tadcaster who narrowly made their way into the semi-finals of the Presidents Cup.
A fantastic effort from all 12-players and Manager Billy Fox had nothing but praise for them, although he was less than complimentary about those players who issued such late notices of their unavailability.
Yes, individual errors were made and will be done so in every game, but rarely will they be made so often and will the opposition be gifted 3 goals so easily as a result - nor will 12 players give their all as they did and come away with nothing.
Next up is another 90 minute slog against Thackley FC but, with Staveley looking as they are enjoying their football, it is hoped a return to good league form will continue.
Prompted into reacting to the unavailability of players, several 7 day notices have been issued as the scene is being set for the second half of the season and 4 months of arduous but hopefully enjoyable and fruitful football ahead.
STAVELEY TEAM:
Deakin, Fores-Chambers, Smith, Jones, Fawcus, Coy, Tahar, Eagers, Fox, Thornton, Damms
Sub: Houghton (80 mins for Thornton)
Goals for Staveley: Thornton 11 & 40 mins, Eagers 65 mins
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RECENT STORIES
INAUGURAL CHARITY DINNER RAISES THOUSANDS -
Staveley Miners Welfare FC raised over £3,000 at their first-ever sporting dinner, which was held in the clubhouse at the Inkersall Road ground last week. More...
STAVELEY THROUGH TO NCEL CUP QUARTER FINALS -
Teversal FC put up a spirited performance and ran Staveley MWFC close in the last 16 of the NCEL Cup More...
SMWFC JUNIOR RESULTS: 29th JAN -
Staveley MWFC's Under 15's lost to Nether Green 5-3. More...
4 WINS ON THE BOUNCE FOR STAVELEY -
On a thoroughly horrid playing surface and a game which in all probability should not have been played, Staveley MWFC made it 4 wins on the bounce More...
STAVELEY MWFC TO HOST INAUGURAL SPORTING DINNER -
Former Nottingham Forest and Scotland hard man Kenny Burns will be the guest speaker at the first-ever sporting dinner hosted by Staveley MWFC More...
3 OUT OF 3 FOR STAVELEY OVER LINCOLN -
Staveley MWFC did what they had to do for the win against a Lincoln Moorlands side who for 45-mins, were stubborn opponents More...
SMWFC JUNIOR RESULTS: 8th JAN -
Staveley's Under 16's were away at Sheffield Wednesday Young Owls. More...
STAVELEY MWFC BACK TO WINNING WAYS -
Long Eaton left Inkersall Road well beaten 4-0 with Staveley's players giving an excellent work rate throughout the game More...
STAVELEY DIG DEEP FOR VICTORY -
Staveley MWFC dug in deep in the second half at Thackley to protect the superiority they held in the first half, coming away with a 2-1 victory More...
STAVELEY SAFELY THROUGH -
Squires Gate FC, were disposed of with ease by Staveley MWFC, who cruised into the last 32 of the FA Vase for the 2nd year running with a superb team performance More...
SMWFC JUNIOR RESULTS: 27th NOV -
Staveley's Under 16's were away to Bramley Sunnyside and lost their 100% winning record More...
JADED STAVELEY SCRAPE A POINT -
Manager Billy Fox lamented his jaded side as they got out of jail against a lively Brighouse team. More...
STAVELEY REACH LAST 64 OF FA VASE -
Staveley MWFC made the trek to Merseyside to West Cheshire Division 1 leaders Ashville FC in the FA Vase 2nd round More...
STAVELEY LOOK TO THE NEXT GAME -
We have moved on after last week's disappointment in the FA Cup with a 3-0 defeat against highflying Hyde FC from the Blue Square North More...
STAVELEY PICK UP POINT AGAINST RETFORD -
10 man Staveley MWFC were disappointed to be held to a 1-1 draw against Retford - even after Captain Tom Jones was sent off after 13 minutes. More...
ALL SQUARE FOR STAVELEY -
If ever 90-minutes of football fitted the old adage of "a game of two halves" - then this FA Cup Tie did! More...
STAVELEY MAKE BEST EVER NCEL START -
Staveley made it 5 league wins from 5 starts beating Hall Road Rangers 2-0 with Manager Billy Fox adding that record to the ever increasing list More...
STAVELEY PROGRESS IN FA CUP -
Staveley MWFC made it through the Preliminary Round Replay of the FA Cup with a 3-1 fully deserved victory against Evostick South side Goole AFC More...
FA CUP REPLAY STRETCHES STAVELEY TO THE LIMIT -
An 87th minute equaliser for Goole AFC saved their blushes and earned them a replay at Staveley MWFC on Tuesday night More...
STAVELEY MAKE IT 7 WINS OUT OF 7 -
Staveley MWFC made it 7 wins from 4 league and 3 cup games in a 23 day period and went 2 points clear at the top of the NCEL Premiership More...
STAVELEY THROUGH IN FA CUP BATTLE -
Staveley MWFC made the next round of the FA Cup with a 4-0 score line that probably flattered them against Winterton Rangers in a game full of incidents. More...
STAVELEY MAKE IT 3 OUT OF 3 -
Staveley MWFC got their second league victory in a week with a 2-1 victory against Winterton Rangers who last season finished 5th More...
AWAY WIN AND A CLEAN SHEET IN NCEL PREMIERSHIP OPENER FOR STAVELEY -
Staveley MWFC opened up their NCEL Premiership campaign with a deserved 1-0 victory at Brighouse Town FC. More...
STAVELEY V CHESTERFIELD FRIENDLY MATCH REPORT -
NCEL Division 1 Champions, Staveley MWFC, played npower League 2 Champions, Chesterfield, at Inkersall Road last Wednesday evening. More...
"WE DON'T WANT TO TAKE THE PASSION OUT OF FOOTBALL" -
On Wednesday Howard Webb refereed the friendly between Staveley MWFC and Chesterfield and spoke with the Chesterfield Post. More..
NCEL ANNOUNCE NEW SPONSOR -
Local company Baris, has just been announced as the sponsor of The Northern Counties East Football League. More...
STAVELEY'S FINAL FLOURISH -
Staveley MWFC brought the curtain down on their season with a 4-1 victory against a young Teversal side who put up a spirited performance. More...
STAVELEY OUT OF THE CUP -
Staveley MWFC went out of the NCEL QF's on penalties by 5-4 after 120 minutes of football that was not for the football purists. More...
"WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS!" -
Staveley MWFC are Champions Of NCEL Division 1 for the very first time in the clubs history. More...
STAVELEY EXTEND THEIR CUP RUN -
Staveley MWFC went through to the quarter-finals of the NCEL Cup with a convincing 2-0 victory away at Barton Town OB FC More...
STAVELEY DEMOLISH 'FROD' 5-1 -
Staveley MWFC's unrelenting push for promotion continued with force with a 5 - 1 demolition of Appleby Frodingham FC. More...
A CLUB ON THE UP -
Back in 2007, Staveley Miners Welfare Football Club faced extinction, their football club committee had resigned en masse due to retirement and just pure time issues. More...
STAVELEY CONTINUE THEIR PROMOTION PUSH -
Another 3 points in a tight game against Hemsworth MWFC who twice went behind early in each half means huge credit must be given for sticking to their tasks. More...
STAVELEY SHOW THEIR CLASS -
Staveley MWFC recorded their biggest away win in the clubs NCEL history with a 8-0 thrashing of Bottesford Town FC. More...
STAVELEY OUT OF THE CUP -
Staveley MWFC went out of the S&H Cup to Parkgate FC by 3-1 in what proved to be a game with little between the sides... More...
STAVELEY MAKE IT 32 POINTS OUT OF 36 AND 7 HOME WINS -
A 1-0 victory fought out against a spirited Bottesford Town side gave the league leaders a battle in front of another very pleasing attendance of 102. More...
STAVELEY EARN A DRAW -
Yorkshire Amateurs push for promotion seemed to necessitate that the 3 points be taken against Staveley and the loss of another 2 points by the Ammers is giving the chasing pack hope. More...
STAVELEY PUSH ON -
Staveley MWFC pushed further ahead at the top of the NCEL Division 1 with a 1-0 victory against AFC Emley, courtesy of a brilliant strike from Chris Fawcus on 68 minutes. More...
LUCKY NUMBER 7 -
Staveley MWFC made it 7 league wins from 7 beating AFC Emley 2-0 at Inkersall Road with 2 goals from the impressive Joe Thornton, one a thunderous 30 yard free kick. More...
STAVELEY LEAD THE PACK AFTER 3-0 WIN -
Staveley MWFC increased their lead at the top of the NCEL to 4 points with 2 games in hand and also maintain an 11-point gap on 3rd More...
A TEST OF CHARACTER -
Staveley MWFC faced a few questions about their character after the weekend's disappointments when Glasshoughton Welfare came to Inkersall Road. More..
STAVELEY GRIND OUT 2-1 WIN OVER LEEDS MET-
Staveley had one hell of a fight to put 3 more points on the board against Leeds Met Carnegie... More...
STAVELEY MWFC ON RECORD SEQUENCE -
Staveley's 2-1 victory against Grimsby Borough brought the club's best ever sequence of results with 20 wins, 3 draws and just 1 defeat in a 24 game run. More...
STAVELEY MWFC HIT TOP SPOT -
Staveley MWFC went to thetop of the NCEL Division 1 with a 6-1 victory against bottom of the league Brodsworth Welfare More...
SHIREBROOK v STAVELEY MATCH REPORT -
Staveley MWFC came away from Shirebrook Town FC with 3 deserved points in a game that they dominated from start to finish. More... |
