Harrogate Railway Ladies played host to Doncaster Belles today (27 Sept 2015) in their second league match and put in a performance that was second to none and a million times better than last week. From the start Doncaster showed why they are held in great esteem by most clubs, passing and moving very quickly, and as such it took only 4 minutes for them to break through rails back line and put a powerful strike on goal, this strike was matched by railways keeper Charllote Donnelly (Rocky) with an awesome dive to her left to save.
Railway did manage to put Doncaster’s defence to the test but without much success, on the 12th minute Doncaster had rail on the ropes again and as Rocky saved another great shot the loose ball fell to another Doncaster player who was also denied by the on form railway keeper. Rocky then sent Ali Purvis off down the right, Ali put a cross in to mid field where Jodi Hodgson received the pass beat two players then played out wide to Chloe Elphic who in turn crossed the ball back into the middle for Nicola Hadley to run on to and beat the last defender before dispatching a great shot into the far right corner, 14 minutes gone and Railway were 1-0 up.
Doncaster turned up the tempo at the re start and for 12 or 14 minutes had Railway on the ropes with a constant barrage of shots and also passing the ball about with good skill. Eventually the equalizer came, as a strong shot was saved but not held onto and the nearest player to the loose ball was a Doncaster one who calmly slotted home, 1-1. As railway tried to respond, yet again a fast move out from within their own half Doncaster broke through on the 39th minute and beat the Railway keeper for the second time, 1-2.
After the half time break Railway really felt that they had a chance to bag some sort of result, after 12 minutes of the re start Kat Purvis (right full back) won a great tackle then put the ball to the feet of mid fielder Jade Holt, Jade then played out to the left for Emma Lansdall to go on a great run and put in a troublesome cross as the cross came into the box a shout of hand ball went up and the referee had no problem giving it, penalty. Nicola Hadley stepped up to the mark and blasted the ball in to the top right corner,2-2. The game really came alive as both teams went end to end creating chance after chance each, with 12 minutes to go Railway had Doncaster penned in but just couldn’t find the killing shot, it looked like the points were going to be shared but in the last few seconds of extra time Doncaster broke free and with Railways Girls absolutely tired out after a fast game Doncaster got the winning goal, full time 2-3.
A very disappointing lose for the railway ladies after playing a very fast and challenging match, they certainly deserved at least shared points. This performance was a credit to them all after a poor show last week they certainly redeemed their pride today. Without doubt if they play like this every Sunday the points will surely come.
Next week Railway is away at Sheffield Wednesday again in the league.
