Alex Metcalfe tries to get past Farsley’s Aaron Hardy
Harrogate Railway goalkeeper Peter Crook earned all the plaudits after two superb penalty saves to deny in-form Farsley AFC in the 1-1 Evo Stik Division One North Boxing Day stalemate at Station View, writes James Grayson (Twitter: @jamesAgrayson).
Crook denied Farsley captain Robbie O’Brien twice, once in either half, to keep his side in the game which also saw Harrogate miss a penalty. The result brought Farsley’s six-match winning league run to an end.
Adam Priestley had given visitors the lead in the 20th minute before Robbie Youhill equalised five minutes later. Colin Hunter wasted the chance to put Harrogate ahead as he blazed his spot kick out of the ground on the stroke of half-time.
Although Railway had Simon Parkes sent off for a second bookable offence with ten minutes remaining, Harrogate thought they had won the game in the last minute.
Nathan Cartman was celebrating scoring until he saw the assistant referee’s flag for an offside.
Harrogate chief Billy Miller had no complaints with referee Jason Tyas over the red card and the disallowed goal and he reserved his praise for Crook.
“Outstanding” was Harrogate boss Billy Miller’s description of Peter Crook’s performance against Farsley AFC
“Peter Crook will get us 20 points this season without a doubt,” Miller said.
“I spoke to him before the game today and each game we give him something to work on. Today was his communication across the back four and he has done that phenomenally.
“But, the penalty saves. The first one was probably the best of the two. Peter comes and gets crosses and there were times today when Farsley were playing balls in the box and Peter has come and got them.
“That’s part of getting things right when you are a goalkeeper. He was outstanding today and he was as good as he has been this season. He’s consistently good and he’s only 19-year-old.
“He’s got a great future.”
Gibraltar International striker Adam Priestley gave Farsley the lead
Crook is dual-registered with Harrogate Town and the youngster has already gained a reputation for being one of the best stoppers in the league. His heroics were needed as early as the fourth minute.
Railway captain Jon Maloney was deemed to have brought down Matty Young just inside the penalty area. Crook guessed the right way and the goalkeeper somehow turned O’Brien spot kick away from the top corner.
Farsley were on top when the now third-placed side opened the scoring. Josh Grant played the killer pass which sent Gibraltar International Adam Priestley through. The striker then scored with a good finish.
The lead did not last long. A cross from the left-wing found the unmarked Youhill. The talented winger simply took one touch before hammering the ball past a helpless Tom Morgan from eight yards.
Robbie Youhill equalised for Harrogate Railway against Farsley
Tom Morgan was adjudged to have fouled Nathan Cartman for Railway’s missed penalty
Tom Morgan and Matty Young were not impressed by the referee’s decision
Railway finished the half as the stronger team and veteran Hunter will rue not putting his side in front. Harrogate were harshly awarded a penalty of their own when Morgan was adjudged to have fouled Cartman as the striker was going away from goal. However, the experienced Hunter made a complete mess of his spot kick.
Crook was the hero again ten minutes into the second half. The assistant referee was the person at the centre of the third penalty of the afternoon – Dan Thirkell the guilty man with his challenge on Lee Ellington. O’Brien chose to go the other way this time, but Crook guessed right again.
Farsley tried to breathe some life into the game as Aiden Savory, Matty James and former Harrogate winger Danny Hull were introduced. However, the trio did not make a difference as Railway ended the game as the better side – even with ten men.
Midfielder Parkes made his exit for a poor foul on Ryan Serrant, but the dismissal only spurred the home side on. As the end neared, Youhill showed his qualities with a dazzling run down the right-wing. He crossed from the dead-ball line and Cartman was there to tap the ball home.
At least five Railway players celebrated with Youhill before realising the assistant referee had implausibly flagged for offside. They went to relay their disgust by the corner flag whilst Farsley had already restarted the game and were launching their own attack.
Fortunately for Harrogate, Farsley’s assault forward did not come to anything and the two sides were forced to settle for a point each and Farsley boss Neil Parsley said: “It was a fair result.
“I thought we were the better side first half and Harrogate were the better side second half.
“I thought the goalkeeper’s penalty saves were magnificent. Robbie hit the target. One was in the top left-hand corner and the other in the bottom right-hand corner and the goalkeeper saved them both and they were great saves.
“He deserves a lot of credit.”
Harrogate Railway: Crook, Thirkell, L Hunter, Wood, Maloney (captain), Parkes, Youhill, Dixon, Cartman, Metcalfe, Hunter (Ibrahimi 64). Subs unused: Kidd, Speed, Ashforth.
Farsley AFC: Morgan, Hardy, Serrant, Daly, Dempsey, Miller, O’Brien (captain), Young (Savory 72), Priestley (Hull 72), Ellington, Grant (James 86). Subs unused: Taylor, Jackson.
Referee: J Tyas
Attendance: 139
Man of the match: Peter Crook (Harrogate Railway)
Match Photos are HERE