Despite another battling performance from Rail they fall to a last minute winner to Clitheroe

HARROGATE RAILWAY 2 CLITHEROE 3

TEAM NEWS: With Kevin Ryan picking up a slight strain from last Saturday’s game against FC Halifax in came Nathan Cartman for his first start of the season with Ben Jones joining Aaron Hollingdrake up front and Nathan playing left of midfield.

On a desperately cold and wet night Rail were hoping to continue where they left off against Woodley Sports. The game started at a frenetic pace with both sets of players not allowing any space and flying into tackles at every opportunity. The playing surface had a lot to do for the way the game was panning out and although it wasn’t pretty to watch the battle in the middle of the park was more than making up for it. Both sets of midfielders were making some crunching tackles and I was amazed that no-one was seriously injured. Chances were again at a premium as both defences stood firm. The real first chance went to Clitheroe on 25 minutes as Manny was called into action as he made a good save from a shot from the edge of the area. Things were getting a little fraught as some of the hard tackling was being mistimed. Nathan Cartman of all people was the first player into the referee’s notebook as he slid in and caught a Clitheroe player just on the half-way line but shortly after that incident Rail with virtually their first chance took the lead. A corner in from our left caused the Clitheroe defence some problems but a glancing header that was going wide of the far post was poked in from close range by Chris Jenkinson.

HARROGATE RAILWAY 1 CLITHEROE 0 (31mins)

However Rails lead didn’t last long as Clitheroe came straight back into the game with a move down our right that caught some of our defence out of position. The ball was squared into the middle to Konstantin Televion who with one touch fired in a superb low drive from the edge of the area which gave Manny no chance in goal to bring our visitors level.

HARROGATE RAILWAY 1 CLITHEROE 1 (34mins)

It wasn’t long afterwards that Clitheroe created another chance as Rail were hanging on. A corner down our left was headed firmly past Manny but a great goal-line clearance denied them taking a 2-1 lead. It was now end to end stuff and again Manny came to our rescue again as he palmed away a long range effort that was heading for the back of the net. Rail came back well with half-time fast approaching. There seemed to be no danger as Rail progressed down their left but all of a sudden the ball fell to the feet of ex-Clitheroe player Paul Stansfield at the edge of the area. He took no time in controlling the ball and rifling a low shot into the far corner of the net with the keeper stranded.

HARROGATE RAILWAY 2 CLITHEROE 1 (44mins)

A couple of moments later the referee blew his whistle for half-time.

HALF-TIME: HARROGATE RAILWAY 2 CLITHEROE 1

With conditions getting no better it was going to be a battle yet again in the second half and with both teams playing 48 hours earlier it was going to be a matter of who was going to last the longest in energy sapping conditions. To be honest there wasn’t any difference between either side except Clitheroe were having to push on to get something out of the game. Besides an early substitution for Clitheroe and a booking for Paul Stansfield (persistent infringements) there wasn’t a lot to report on in the first 20 minutes but as the half wore on Clitheroe were pressing Rail back and Rail were having to rely on counter-attacks. Clitheroe then made another change and Phil Mitchell came on for Ben Jones with Nathan having to go up front with the hard working Aaron. With Aaron getting little joy the ball was coming back far too quickly and eventually the Rail defence succumbed to the pressure. A corner was awarded down our right and was swung into the near post. A Clitheroe player got to the ball first and flicked the ball onto the far post where Liam McManus nipped in to finish from close in.

HARROGATE RAILWAY 2 CLITHEROE 2 (70mins)

Unfortunately Tom Jackson who was having another sound game had to go off due to an injury and was replaced by Steve Ball but it made little difference as Clitheroe now pressed forward for a winner. Rail were trying to get forward but showed little sign of getting a winner themselves and didn’t really test Danny Hanford in goal. Nicky Darker then became the third Rail player to be booked as he made a clumsy tackle from behind down on the touchline as frustration set in. The referee seemed intent on awarding Clitheroe anything they appealed for and letting one or two challenges from Clitheroe go and in the end it cost Rail the game. First of all Aaron Hollingdrake was literally hauled down in the penalty area when waiting for a corner to be taken. Moments later Nicky Darker was upended on the halfway line but the referee saw nothing wrong and waived play on. A minute later Clitheroe had taken the lead. After Nicky had been fouled Clitheroe worked the ball from our right over to our left. The attacker was fortunate to get round Steve Ball but his near post cross was met by Nathan Taylor who again finished past Manny from close in.

HARROGATE RAILWAY 2 CLITHEROE 3 (89mins)

A cruel blow for all the hard work the lads had put in but as they say “that’s football for you” With only 3 minutes injury time indicated Rail had no chance to reply and our visitors walked away with all three points.

FULL-TIME: HARROGATE RAILWAY 2 CLITHEROE 3

BOOKINGS: 3 - Nathan Cartman, Paul Stansfield & Nicky Darker (all Rail)

ATTENDANCE: 96

RAIL MAN OF THE MATCH: PAUL STANSFIELD

PLAYERS MARKS OUT OF 10:

James Mann – 7

Dan Thirkell – 7

Tom Jackson – 7

Liam Gray – 8

James Nettleton – 8

Chris Jenkinson – 8

Nicky Darker – 7

Paul Stansfield – 8

Ben Jones – 6

Aaron Hollingdrake – 7

Nathan Cartman – 6

SUBS: Phil Mitchell – 7, Steve Ball – not on long enough