Knaresborough Town v Tadcaster Albion: Brewers to unleash Richard Cresswell and Jonathan Greening in NCEL cup quarter-final

Tadcaster Albion will unleash all four of their former Premier League players on Knaresborough Town during tonight’s highly-anticipated cup quarter-final at Manse Lane.

Albion registered former Leeds United pair Richard Cresswell and Seb Carole before the NCEL deadline in a bid to cope with a fixture pile-up at the end of the season.

The Brewers already have former Manchester United and West Bromwich Albion midfielder Jonathan Greening on their books, while ex-Leicester City , and Leeds, defender Matt Heath is the club’s player-assistant manager.

Boss Billy Miller revealed to the Harrogate Advertiser Series that all four will be involved in the NCEL League Cup last eight tie against Division One side Knaresborough.

“If the game is on it will be great for Knaresborough because they will definitely be involved in the game,” said Miller, adding: “I’m thinking of getting my boots on myself, that would be the icing on the cake.”

Tonight’s last eight clash will be Knaresborough’s first home League Cup tie in the last three seasons as they look to replicate the success of the 2013/14 season when they won the cup at Bradford City’s Valley Parade.

Current manager Paul Stansfield was a playing member of that squad and is dreaming of repeating the glory.

However, Tadcaster are the toughest assignment going in the Counties and knocked Knaresborough out of the same competition last year with a 2-0 win.

Since taking over managerial duties in the summer, Stansfield has led Knaresborough to within touching distance of the inaugural NCEL Division One play-offs.

Town produced one of their best performances under Stansfield to thrash Selby Town 5-0 in a North Yorkshire derby last week before battling back to earn a 1-1 draw at Hall Road Rangers on Tuesday.

Albion still have eight fixtures to fit in before the end of the season in 16 days time but now hold the initiative over top of the table rivals Handsworth Parramore after beating them 5-2 at home on Saturday.

Parramore responded with a late win at Maltby Main on Tuesday night to return to the top of the table but Albion carry two crucial matches in hand.