ALBION Sports agonisingly missed out on an historic promotion at the weekend, coming within a penalty shootout of reaching the eighth tier of English football for the first time in their history.

A tense Northern Counties East League Premier Division play-off final at Garforth Town finished goalless, and with no extra-time, the game went straight to spot kicks.

And it was the hosts who held their nerve from 12 yards, scoring all of their penalties to win the shootout 5-3.

Garforth had home advantage for the final, having come third in the regular league season while Bradford side Albion finished fifth.

They had another boost ahead of the match too, as Albion’s star man this season, Robbie Fox, was only fit enough for a place on the bench after picking up an injury in the play-off semi-final win at Campion.

But it was the visitors who had the better of the first half, creating the vast majority of the chances, but they struggled to test Garforth keeper Harry Flatters.

Albion also felt they should have had a couple of penalties, one for handball and one when Lewis Waddington went down in the box, but both appeals were waved away by the referee.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: A foul on Lewis Waddington in the play-off semi saw Campion keeper Brad Emmerson sent off and changed the course of the game, but the same player was controversially denied a penalty in the final.A foul on Lewis Waddington in the play-off semi saw Campion keeper Brad Emmerson sent off and changed the course of the game, but the same player was controversially denied a penalty in the final. (Image: Martin Taylor.)

Instead, it was the home side who nearly took the lead on the stroke of half-time, only for Dan Coupland’s corner to be flicked inches over the bar by Charlie Marshall.

Albion were the better side just after the break, and Ellis Wade came close with an effort deflected out for a corner.

But Garforth grew into the second half as it wore on, with substitute Matt Antcliff looking particularly threatening.

He almost capitalised on an Albion defensive mix-up, before racing in behind only to be denied by a stunning last-ditch challenge from Eisa Faulding.

Albion blocked a dangerous free kick from Antcliff’s fellow substitute Max Tweddle, then had a chance to win it themselves in the dying seconds, only for Garforth to scramble away a dangerous long throw-in into their box.

That meant a nerve-shredding shootout to decide which side would be going up to the Northern Premier League East Division, and Garforth drew first blood when Marshall slammed his penalty home, just beating the despairing dive of Albion keeper George McMahon.

Albion skipper Aran Basi stepped up first for the visitors, but his powerful low effort was brilliantly saved by Flatters down to his left.

Both sides were on target with their next three penalties each, Coupland, Tweddle and Alex Zachariou for Garforth, Dom Staunton, Waddington and Kamron Basi for Albion, meaning the hosts had a 4-3 lead in the shootout with one penalty left apiece.

But Garforth substitute Jay Davis ensured there was no need for Albion to take their fifth spot-kick, as he sent McMahon the wrong way to score and seal promotion for his side.

After the game, Albion posted a heartfelt message on X, formerly Twitter: 

Albion would have had a fascinating two games with their Horsfall landlords next year, Bradford (Park Avenue), had they been promoted.

Instead, they will retain their derbies with Campion, Eccleshill United, Thackley and Silsden in the2024/25 NCEL Premier Division campaign.