HARROGATE RAILWAY 3 TRAFFORD 2

TEAM NEWS: There were two changes to the side that earned a point at Salford City in midweek. In came Andy Jackson and debutant Scott Driscoll from Farsley Celtic replacing Phil Mitchell (bench) and Steve Palfrey.

It didn’t take long for the action to start as Trafford drove up field and earned themselves a penalty within the first 60 seconds. It was awarded for a trip by Nicky Darker on one of the Trafford attackers as he was about to shoot. Although there wasn’t any appeal from the players the referee had no hesitation in pointing straight to the spot. Scott Metcalfe stepped up to take it and thundered it into the net giving Manny no chance.

HARROGATE RAILWAY 0 TRAFFORD 1 (1min)

An early setback for Rail but there was plenty of time to regroup and get back into the game. It was slow going as Trafford seemed to be bossing midfield with only Paul Stansfield and Scott Driscoll showing any urgency as the rest of the team were slow in closing players down. Despite the early setback Rail pushed forward in search of an equaliser and were awarded several corners and free kicks. Unfortunately the delivery wasn’t too good and Trafford seemed to deal with anything that was in or around the area. Rail’s first real threat came on the half hour mark where Scott Driscoll drove a low shot just narrowly wide of the post. Within seconds though Rail found themselves two down. Paul Stansfield seemed to be fouled on the edge of our own area but the referee waived play on. The ball came loose and there seemed to be no real threat but the blocked clearance fell kindly to Marvin McDonald who had the easy task of tapping the ball into an empty net.

HARROGATE RAILWAY 0 TRAFFORD 2 (30mins)

Although Rail had really done anything wrong they found themselves on the wrong end of a two nil scoreline and possibly looking at their first defeat in 3 games. Rail pressed on forward but everything they tried to do just wasn’t working. They were getting the ball into the area but they just couldn’t get the ball into the back of the net. With half-time approaching Paul Stansfield went down in the area but Rail’s penalty appeals were waived away and a few moments later the referee blew his whistle for half-time.

HALF-TIME: HARROGATE RAILWAY 0 TRAFFORD 2

Rail started the second half in determined mood as a flicked on header from a corner found Scott Driscoll at the far post but his header was comfortably saved by the keeper. This was the beginning of a succession of headed chances with Ben Jones effort just narrowly wide and Paul Stansfield’s header cleared off the line. It just didn’t seem to be Rail’s day as the substitutes started to come on. Trafford made an early substitution with Greg Hall coming on for goal scorer Marvin McDonald and with less than 25 minutes left Phil made a double substitution with Kevin Ryan and Matt Dempsey replacing Tom and Andy Jackson. This seemed to have the desired effect as within minutes of the changes being made Rail eventually found a way through the Trafford defence.  Paul Stansfield turned quickly in the area and was brought down by the defender. This time the penalty appeal was upheld and the referee pointed to the spot for the second time in the game. Ben Jones placed the ball on the spot and coolly sent the keeper the wrong way for his sixth successful spot kick of the season.

HARROGATE RAILWAY 1 TRAFFORD 2 (73mins)

It was now all about time and if Rail could get a quick goal then all 3 points were up for grabs. The Rail fans didn’t have to wait long for the equaliser. Aaron Hollingdrake who had been working tirelessly all afternoon didn’t give up a lost cause down on our left flank but just as the ball seemed to be going out he miraculously hooked the ball across and found Kevin Ryan virtually on the goal line to bundle the ball into the net in between two defenders.

HARROGATE RAILWAY 2 TRAFFORD 2 (77mins)

 

It was all Rail now with our visitors virtually encamped in their own half. Manny’s goal had not been threatened all the second half and now Rail were looking for all 3 points. It looked as though Trafford were just about holding out for a point when with only 5 minutes to go Paul Stansfield nearly claimed all 3 points. His deflected shot was going in but the keeper pulled off a great save and out for a corner. Paul was not to be denied though. With only 2 minutes remaining Ben Jones made a fantastic run in the area. He held off the defender and hit a great shot which the keeper managed to keep out but the ball fell again to Ben who crossed the ball into the centre for Paul Stansfield to tap in from close range.

HARROGATE RAILWAY 3 TRAFFORD 2 (88mins)

The comeback was complete. Rail had only two minutes of normal time and three minutes of injury time to hold on which they did with ease.

FULL-TIME: HARROGATE RAILWAY 3 TRAFFORD 2

BOOKINGS: NONE

ATTENDANCE: 109

RAIL MAN OF THE MATCH: AARON HOLLINGDRAKE

PLAYERS MARK OUT OF 10:

James Mann – 7

Dan Thirkell – 7

Tom Jackson – 7

Nicky Darker – 6

Dan Verity – 7

Chris Jenkinson – 8

Scott Driscoll – 8

Paul Stansfield – 8

Ben Jones – 7

Aaron Hollingdrake – 9

Andy Jackson – 6

SUBS: Kevin Ryan – 7, Matt Dempsey - 7