TEAM NEWS: For probably the first time this season Phil Sharpe picked the same starting 11 as last week’s victory against Leigh Genesis.
After last week’s victory Rail were determined to carry on their good work. Despite our lowly position Colwyn Bay were finding it difficult to break us down and there was nothing to choose between the two sides for most of the first half. Chances were at a premium for both sides and the real first chance fell to our hosts on 10 minutes. A dangerous cross in from our left was glanced on in the middle but just hit the top of the crossbar but Rail came back at Colwyn Bay with a chance of their own. A swift move just outside the penalty box found Kevin Ryan free in the area but with him going away from goal he found it difficult to put a shot in as the keeper came out and blocked. Colwyn Bay had to make a change as early as the 20th minute as Ryan Williams came on for the injured Neil Black. Moments later Kevin rose well from a corner and was unfortunate not to score as his header was deflected off a defender and onto the crossbar. Both sides were competing well but Dan Verity competed a little too much as his late challenge earned himself a yellow card. The remainder of the half remained even as both sides battled it out in midfield.
HALF-TIME: COLWYN BAY 0 HARROGATE RAILWAY 0
The second-half was pretty much like the first but with Colwyn Bay looking a little more dangerous. Rail were struggling to create anything despite Kevin Ryan and Aaron Hollingdrake best efforts to hold the ball up and start threatening near goal. Mind you Colwyn’s front two were also finding it difficult against a dogged Rail defence with Dan Verity and Chris Jenkinson winning everything in the air. There was a change from both sides to see if either team could break the deadlock as the game seemed to be heading for a draw. On came Alex Tichener for Russell Headley for Colwyn Bay and Nathan Cartman came on for the injured Ben Jones. Unfortunately it was Colwyn Bay's replacement that was to have an impact on the game. With Colwyn now pressing forward for a winner Rail were finding themselves defending deeper and deeper and it wasn’t until the 76th minute that they got their break through. Rail found it difficult to clear their lines and the ball came to the edge of the area. Ian Sheridan cut inside and curled a right-footed shot past Manny and into the back of the net. A bit of a body blow for Rail with less than 15 minutes to go.
COLWYN BAY 1 HARROGATE RAILWAY 0 (76mins)
Rail then made another chance as Danny Thirkell came on to replace Tom Jackson and changed their formation to 3 at the back in an attempt to get back on level terms. Despite the best efforts from our supporters to rally the team, time was against them as they struggled to threaten the Colwyn Bay defence and with Rail pushing forward substitute Alex Tichener finally put the game to bed. In the dying minutes he found himself on the edge of the area and his powerful shot found its way past Manny and into the back of the net.
COLWYN BAY 2 HARROGATE RAILWAY 0 (86mins)
A cruel blow for Rail who gave their everything and didn’t really deserve to be coming away with nothing at all. With virtually no time to reply the game finished with the disconsolate Rail players being applauded off by the small band of noisy supporters.
FULL-TIME: COLWYN BAY 2 HARROGATE RAILWAY 0
BOOKING: 1 – DAN VERITY (Rail)
ATTENDANCE: 374
RAIL MAN OF THE MATCH: PAUL STANSFIELD
PLAYERS MARK OUT OF 10:
James Mann – 7
James Nettleton – 7
Tom Jackson – 7
Liam Gray – 7
Dan Verity – 7
Chris Jenkinson – 7
Nicky Darker – 7
Paul Stansfield – 8
Kevin Ryan – 7
Aaron Hollingdrake – 7
Ben Jones – 7
SUBS: Nathan Cartman – 7, Dan Thirkell – not on long enough
