Railway collected three points in the NCEL Premier League Wednesday as Lee Ashforth’s revitalized Railwaymen steamed into Sheerien Park to take on the Penguins.
The ‘Recin Crew’ have been in good form, taking six points from their first three league games and boasting the League’s top goal scorer within their ranks in the shape of Kai Hancock.
Dressed In the new blue Prestige Projects away kit for the first time, it was Railway who started the brighter and took an early lead.
Simon Parkes sent Ryan Sharrocks down the right wing, who then beat his marker, got to the byline and crossed low and hard for Bromley to meet at the near post. His close-range shot beat the Rec ‘keeper to make it 1-0 with only five minutes on the clock.
Play was very open with both teams full of running and once in possession, Recreation were quick to get forward.
Railway’s lead didn’t last long. Just before ten minutes on the clock, Athersley broke down their left. Simon Parkes’ attempted interception saw the ball break into the path of Kai Hancock who took a touch and then slotted it past Jake Lofthouse to equalize.
Railway tried to get a firm hold on the game, but it remained very open with play going from end to end.
Greg Kidd had the next clear-cut chance; through on goal, he struggled to get the ball from under his feet and the defenders cleared his shot.
At the other end, Jake Lofthouse was forced into making a great save before Railway broke again and from a Greg Kidd corner, the exceptional Alex Low climbed highest to head goal-wards.
Aiden Tyas in the Penguin’s goal stretched and tipped over what seemed like a certain goal.
It was a poor pass through midfield by Athersley that gave Rail the upper hand.
Stephen Bromley pounced on the loose ball and ran at pace with Sharrocks out right and Marcus Day to his left.
As the defender ran to close him down he slipped the ball to his left and into the path of the supporting Day, who took a touch, looked up and coolly finished, shooting across the keeper to put Rail back in front.
With 33 minutes on the clock, Atherton went close to getting another equalizer from a corner. Railway had to clear the ball off the line, with the resulting shot going just wide.
There were chances at either end during the final 15 minutes of the first half, however Railway went in just ahead at the break.
The second half got underway and Harrogate started the brighter capitalizing on their early endeavour.
Marcus Day turned provider this time getting down the Harrogate Railway right to put in a telling cross.
George Mason was the quickest to react and got his foot to the ball guiding it home from close range. Railway were well on their way to a first win of the season in the NCEL Premier League.
Harrogate Railway sat deep, defending the relentless Athersley attacks, but it was the team in blue that had the best chance in the closing minutes.
Marcus Day ran through the Penguins’ defence, rounding the keeper and shot from a tight angle only to see his effort go across the face of the goal and wide.
Railway held Atherton at arms length for the remainder of the game, restricting them to a couple of attempts that were easily cleared.
Harrogate had the last chance of the game, with Dan Barrett going close to increasing the lead as he also shot across the face of the goal.
The referee blew the whistle after three minutes of injury time and Harrogate Railway had earned the win, taking all three points.
Next up is a Home game on Saturday 27 August, when we welcome Staveley Miners Welfare to Station View.
