A goal scored in each half was enough for Harrogate Railway to see off Nostell Miners at Station View on Tuesday night.
Having started their pre-season campaign with tough fixtures against Hartlepool and Middlesbrough U-21’s and failing to score in the process, Railway manager Lee Ashforth will have been encouraged to see his team produce a solid performance against Nostell Miners, winning the game in comfortable fashion, 2-0.
Rail’ started the match well, employing a direct style of play, aiming to exploit Nostell’s full-backs at every opportunity. Ryan Sharrocks got on the end of a long ball from Simon Parkes in the opening minutes, but Nostell’s ‘keeper did well to block the attempt.
Not long after a penalty claim for Railway was waved away by the referee on 14 minutes, Harrogate centre-back Jason Mycoe played a pin-point long ball down the left flank to Stephen Bromley, who controlled beautifully inside the box to then place a shot neatly between the goalkeepers legs and into the far corner, 1-0.
Throughout most of the first half Nostell were chasing shadows and seemed unable to compete with Railway as their confidence began to grow. In the final few minutes Nostell did muster a couple of attempts at goal but Railway ‘keeper Tom Goodwin was ideally placed to block both of them.
As expected, both teams made numerous changes in the second half. Nostell manager Paul Lines had obviously advised his side on how to best deal with Railway’s successful tactics as they allowed Harrogate fewer chances. However, this failed to stop Railway extending their lead as impressive Jack Stockill got on the end of a low cut-back cross, placing his shot in the bottom right hand corner from 10 yards out.
Games are coming thick and fast for Harrogate Railway as they now face newly promoted Darlington at Station View on Saturday 25th July. After this latest performance, manager Lee Ashforth will have some thinking to do ahead of his team selection.
Report by Joe Hardisty and photography by Caught Light Photography
