Harrogate Railway Ladies scraped a 3-3 draw today away at Handsworth Ladies, yet again Railway failed to come out of the starting blocks until they went down 2-0 in the first half hour. This was a match that didn’t give the supporters from both teams much to cheer or shout about, with some doubtful refereeing to add it certainly was a game to put at the back of your mind.
Handsworth scored in the 4th and 30th minute and both were down to poor defending however Railway got themselves back in the game when player of the match Chloe Elphick put the ball through from mid field for Nicola Hadley to yet again chip the ball over the Handsworth keeper to make it 2-1 after 37 minutes. To be fair to the Railway ladies they then got on to the front foot and put on some good pressure, but on the 42nd minute a completely clear hand ball in the box by the Handsworth defender was denied by the referee, Handsworth broke out and a minute later they were awarded a free kick, for hand ball!, just outside the box, this was struck with great power and easily beat Rocky in goal to make it 3-1.
After half time it was back and forth for both teams but on the 61st minute Louise Donnelly found the feet of Nicola who broke out to the left and delivered a perfect cross for Chloe Elphick to smash home railways second goal, 3-2. Railway had a spell where they had 3 corners in 5 minutes but it wasn’t until the third one was sent in by captain Ali Purvis a scramble ensued and Nicola got the last touch on the ball to make it 3-3, after this the game just ran out of any sparkle it had. Railway certainly had at least 6 or 7 clear chances in front of goal and they must learn quickly in this league that you can’t afford to let these go bye without scoring. Next week the Railway Ladies are back at station view against Ossett Albion KO 2pm.
