TEAM NEWS: Well if people can remember this far back Phil Sharpe made 4 changes from the side that narrowly missed out from winning against Prescot Cables way back on the 12th December. In came James Mann, debutants Chris Jenkinson & Aaron Hollingdrake & Nicky Darker who replacing Chris Hill, Steve Ball, Phil Mitchell & Dan Thirkell (both bench)
As both sides were a little rusty the first half struggled to get going with chances at a very small premium. It wasn’t long after the start that Nicky Darker became the first Rail player to see yellow this year after an ugly tackle just beyond the half-way line. A pointless booking as the player wasn’t actually going anywhere. Things only really got going 20 minutes into the game as Rail started to mount a bit of pressure on the Leigh defence. Rail worked the ball around the area and the ball finally dropped to Liam Gray who unleashed a terrific shot which had the keeper scrambling across his area but the ball narrowly went wide of the post. Shortly afterwards Rail had a penalty appeal turned down as Ben Jones went tumbling down in the area after the keeper had made a good save and then went to dive for the loose ball. The referee would have nothing to do with it and waived Ben’s half-hearted appeal away. Whilst all this was going on Leigh made inroads to the edge of our penalty area which resulted in Manny making a good one-handed save which went for a corner. 10 minutes before half-time Rail should really have taken the lead. They were awarded a corner down on our left which was swung in by Nicky Darker. The ball was not cleared as it fell to Paul Stansfield. He hit a tremendous half-volley towards goal and somehow the keeper managed to make a terrific block. A couple of inches either side of him the ball would have been in the back of the net. Leigh then started to pressurise our defence but a moment’s madness minutes before half-time resulted in ex-pro Matt Jansen seeing red after kicking out at a Rail player for no apparent reason. This possibly could have cost Leigh some vital points. Thankfully the half ended with no further incident as the referee blew his whistle for half-time.
HALF-TIME: HARROGATE RAILWAY 0 LEIGH GENESIS 0
Despite being down to 10 men it was Leigh who started the brightest in the second-half as Rail struggled to cope with their opponent’s new formation. Even Phil after the game admitted that he was surprised by how Leigh came out. But despite their best efforts Rail held out without any real scares and Leigh were made to pay for their adventurous endeavours. Rail pressurised Leigh’s wide player on our left towards his own goal and he eventually put the ball out of play. A quick throw-in was taken which set Paul Stansfield free and in on goal. His long run paid off as he teed Kevin Ryan up with a lovely chipped ball into the area and Kevin had an easy task of firmly heading the ball into the back of the net.
HARROGATE RAILWAY 1 LEIGH GENESIS 0 (54mins)
Shortly afterwards debutant Aaron Hollingdrake should have sewn the game up. He beat the keeper to the ball and snatched at the ball and hit his shot narrowly wide of the post. Leigh made a couple of changes with Chris Thompson and Karl Munroe coming on for Chris Page and Jack Dorney and the changes seem to work as they pressed forward for an equaliser. It wasn’t long that they found the back of the net but from an unexpected source. An innocuous looking cross from our left was intercepted by Dan Verity at the near post but instead of clearing the ball it hit his shin and floated over Manny’s head and into the far corner of the net.
HARROGATE RAILWAY 1 LEIGH GENESIS 1 (62mins)
On came Nathan Cartman for Aaron Hollingdrake. This meant that Ben Jones was pushed forward alongside Kevin Ryan and Nathan playing left of midfield. The game was now pretty evenly matched and it didn’t look as though there was to be a winner as time went on. Both teams struggled to really create any clear cut chances as the pitch started to cut up and passing the ball along the ground was becoming more and more difficult. With less than 10 minutes to go Rail worked the ball out to our left with a good move. The ball ended up at the feet of full-back Tom Jackson who’s deep cross found Kevin Ryan at the far post with players all around him but he managed to get his head to the ball and place his firm header past the scrambling keeper and into the back of the net.
HARROGATE RAILWAY 2 LEIGH GENESIS 1 (83mins)
Moments later Phil made 2 substitutions with Danny Thirkell and Phil Mitchell coming on for Nicky Darker and Ben Jones. In between these changes Rail really should have added a third goal but the unlucky Liam Gray’s super strike from the edge of the area cannoned off the outside of the post and out for a goalkick. Despite the 4 minutes of injury time Leigh could not find a way back and Rail ran out winners for the first time since August. A great relief to all the playing staff and players and most of all to the long suffering supporters.
FULL-TIME: HARROGATE RAILWAY 2 LEIGH GENESIS 1
BOOKING: 1 – NICKY DARKER (Rail)
ATTENDANCE: 102
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 – 8
Aaron Hollingdrake – 7
Ben Jones – 7
SUBS: Nathan Cartman – 7, Dan Thirkell & Phil Mitchell (not on long enough)
