Harrogate Railway Ladies were played Castleford White Rose yesterday (19 October 14) in the County cup and put in their best performance this year so far.
Unfortunately Railway came away with a 1-0 loss, but the score line could have been in rails favour with a bit more luck on their side. With the wind blowing a gale down the pitch and Castleford starting with it behind them, railway were doing a great job to create some fine chances in front of goal with only the Castleford keeper keeping rail out.
It took 20minutes for the team that plays 2 leagues above Railway to make good use of the wind with a good shot from 20 yards out Rails keeper was unable to do anything but watch as the ball shot past her into the far right corner,1-0.
Railway were not to be down beaten and straight away raised another strong attack, Emma Lansdall linked up with Jodi Hodgson who played in Nicola Hadley who’s shot was again saved, Rail kept pressing and at the back skipper Ali Purvis was doing a great job sorting the defence and Castleford out.
As half time loomed Castleford did come close with a free kick just outside the box but fortunately for Railway the wind carried the ball high over the bar. At the re-start Railway were caught napping and Castleford applied some strong pressure which Railway did well to survive especially when a second goal was disallowed for a tight offside call after 53 minutes.
The second half was a end to end game from then on and as Railway had shots on goal they just couldn’t fine the right spot to beat the keeper, with full back Jenny Hudleston heading a corner shot off the line Rail broke out and at the other end Fiona Salter was unlucky as her shot hit the post. In the last 10 minutes it was all Railway, with one corner being headed in from Kat Purvis only for it to be stopped on the line and thus the luck just wouldn’t come for Railway.
A brilliant game of football by both teams and the Railway Ladies can hold their heads high after a performance this good against a team like Castleford.
Next week the Railway Ladies are away at top of the league Ossett Town Ladies KO 2pm
