As shocks go it wasn't quite up there with a successful Jimmy Laughey sponsored non-swearing 90 minutes, Andy Davey not having a fag within 30 minutes of kick off or even Ste McD readily admitting he keeps his dildo in the boot of his car ( don't we all? ). However, Yeadon Athletic were dumped from the cup by lower league Yorkshire Rose after 90 minutes, extra time and penalties in front of an exhausted capacity crowd of 32,614 at Micklefield Park.
The home team's selection crisis had abated despite Kris' 47 text messages and emails that week. The big news being that Tatts had recovered from his strained attitude and Buttons had re-emerged from his 3 week sabbattical at the Red Leopard.
Yeadon Athletic warmed up on the hallowed turf with some handball nonsense and cone drills that will give Dicky Machell sleepless nights. Rose tried the exercise of keeping a football up between 14 players. They didn't beat the record of 6 which still stands from 1964.
The game kicked off and Rose made an early breakthrough as a corner from Chief Inspector Darren Machell was flicked on to Scatch who cooly prodded home to keep his streak going. The game was very open though and Yeadon had threatened before they got a deserved equaliser. A thumping drive was not held by Phil Rhodes and the rebound was swept in with jubilation in front of the 4,000 travelling fans. As the half wore on Yeadon began to dominate and they duly got their second goal when a speculative punt from the full back was fumbled by our stand in goalkeeper and the ball trickled apologetically over the line. To be fair to Phil it is possible the tight shorts he was wearing might have distracted him. He had not worn such shorts since deputising for a couple of gigs on the 1993 Right Said Fred "Deeply Dippy" tour.
At half time the gaffer made some changes. Neil, who had arrived at the game pretty much straight from Mission nightclub was on another type of mission as he appeared in the referee's notebook for a professional(ish) foul. He was one more free kick away from a red before the gaffer saved him. Scatch was also withdrawn for what I believe was to take his girlfriend to the station? It made Tatts' previous week's excuse of watching The Waltons seem perfectly reasonable.
Rose came out in the second half and while not totally in control looked more organised and threatening. Darren Machell who had just come from his stake out on the Armley Drug Cartel pushed on with substitute Buttons causing problems with forays into the Athletic half. The equaliser arrived with a surging run from Kris from midfield who then released Tatts to calmly slide in at the near post.
The lead was short lived though as a mix up at the back allowed Athletic a sloppy lead. That looked like that until a moment of inspiration from Laughey. He'd either been to church that morning or the "Kids Under 5 For Free" scheme which had filled the Sutton Family Stand at Micklefield had tweaked his conscience. Without a single expletive a ferocious shot was not held. Tatts reacted quickly to roll it to Andy Davey who couldn't miss. 3-3. The BBC cut their transmission of Sunday Grandstand to cut live to the game.
Extra time it was and a whole new world of pain emerged for "I'll help out when you're short Kris" JT. He'd not been this hot and bothered since Saturday's 10pm Red Hot All Girl 10 Minute Freeview. And the repeat at 11pm. And at midnight. At the back 63 year old Smex had seen it all before. He remembered the 1964 cup tie against Guiseley Tram Station FC. That ended 9 All. Alongside him Dav Sutton earned his Man of the Match Champagne with great tackles and blocks and an impressively consistent toe bung. Arran, playing his 4th position in 90 minutes continued to break up attacks, win headers and pushing the team on.
Extra time began and Rose missed a gilt edged chance to win the game. Tatts did well to round the keeper who nearly chopped him in half before, and let's be honest here missing an open goal. The ref rightly pulled it back though and gave a penalty and a red card for the Athletic keeper. He will miss next week's game against Ripon City Rhubarbs. However, the stand in keeper pulled off a remarkable save to his right from Tatt's resultant spot kick and the game remained tied.
In the second period JT hit the outside of the post as well as another agonising Tatts effort that hit the same upright. You began to think it was not going to be the home team's day.
Penalties it was. Athletic distracted by Phil's pouch miss the first pen. PC Machell stuck his away easily, 1-0. They score to make it 1-1. Andy Davey's meek penalty creeps in making it 2-1. Kris Sutton's no nonsense, straight down the middle penalty cancels out a Yeadon pen. 3-2 but then Yeadon miss! Dav Sutton, to win the game had forgotten to switch off default toe bung and the keeper saves easily. Athletic score. 3-3. But Buttons calmly rolls in the decider to win the tie and send the majority of the crowd home happy.
By no means a classic performance but a very resilient one against a fitter side and arguably better drilled side. Another tough tie awaits at Otley Town in the next round. But Rose will take 6,000 loyal supporters over there and it's sure to be a cracking atmosphere.
Just a note though to say that the game was overshadowed by the news at half time and I'm sure I speak for the whole of the team to pass on our thoughts to Ben and family.
