Harrogate Railway 1 Consett AFC 1 (AET)

Railway go through 4-3 on Penalties

This was an eventful cup tie which could have gone either way as the game progressed. Rail could have been buried out of sight at half-time had it not been for several top class saves from James Mann, by far and away the man of the match.

Consett went ahead on eight minutes through Craig TATE but Paul STANSFIELD levelled nine minutes later. Manny pulled off three brilliant stops to keep matters level at the break then, in the second half, Rail regrouped and should have taken the lead on two occasions, Ben Jones and Stanners missing gilt-edged opportunities to win the game.

Just as extra time loomed the referee deemed Dan Verity guilty of an offence off the ball and showed him the red card. Rail looked to be up against it but held out through rest of the 90 minutes and the extra 30, Manny pulling off another fine save at the near post in the dying embers.

So to penalties, Manny saved the first, Jonsie put our first over the stand, Manny made two more saves but was pulled for moving too soon on the third. Consett levelled things at 3-3 but the last spot-kick fell to Will Ryder who converted with ease to give Rail the tie.