Connor Sellars holds off two Darlington 1883 defenders
Harrogate Railway gave their all, but ultimately Evo Stik Division One North big-spenders Darlington 1883 were just too strong for them, writes James Grayson (Twitter: @jamesAgrayson).
Over a thousand people flocked to Station View to see Joe Tait and Stephen Thompson’s score in the first half to maintain Darlington’s play-offs charge.
Harrogate got into some good areas, but were unable to find the final killer touch which Darlington had and despite the defeat Rail boss Billy Miller was proud of his team’s performance.
“It was a tremendous effort today against one of the fancied sides in the league,” he said.
“We went into the game with a game-plan of wanting to be still in the game at 60 minutes. Although Darlington got an early goal I actually felt that we held our own.
“We put some good patterns of play together. We never caused them too many problems, but we did have a couple of good chances.
“It was fine margins. The chances they got they scored, while the chances we got we missed. For the second goal, with Thompson, the left winger and one of the best in the league, we got caught short with his movement.
“He got a free run and Crooky actually nearly got a hand to it. It was a well-worked goal. We didn’t change our plan for the second half.
“What we said is ‘forget the first half, go out for the second half and if we don’t concede and get one ourselves and then who knows’?
“We then matched it 4-4-2 which is something we have never done before, but the players worked the system really well and we dug in. We just ran out of time and to be fair for the last five or six minutes we were probably holding a little bit.
“But, on a day like today, as a club that is in a position where financially we live week-to-week and one where we try and give the lads a little something for what they’re doing, to get over thousand in is phenomenal.
“I spoke to (Darlington manager) Martin (Gray) after and thanked him because clubs like Darlington and previously Chester really help financially and they are an asset to the league.”
Goal-scorer Stephen Thompson gets the better of Harrogate defender Simon Wood
Railway almost celebrated a dream start in the opening seconds when former Blyth Spartans FA Cup hero Mark Bell made a meal of his clearance. This allowed stand-in striker and Railway captain Jon Maloney a free shot. Unfortunately Maloney’s attempt flashed just wide, much to Bell’s relief.
Aside from Bell’s moment of madness, Darlington were strong in the opening ten minutes as expected. Railway goalkeeper Peter Crook showed his qualities early on with a fine save from Thompson.
But Darlington kept pressing and Tait marked his return to the Quakers with the first goal of the afternoon. Tait hit a low shot from the edge of box which Crook was unable to prevent from burying itself in the bottom corner. The midfielder then ran 50 yards to celebrate with the Darlington coaching staff and substitutes.
The Railway defence were then tested to the limits as Darlington probed for the second goal. Crook and his defence, led by Simon Wood and Mike Morris, threw themselves at everything. Crook made one of the saves of the game when he denied Thompson’s seemingly goal-bound attempt.
Harrogate survived, for the time being, and then enjoyed their best spell of pressure on the Quakers goal. Connor Sellars forced a save from Bell from a long range free kick while winger Robbie Youhill and Maloney did their best to cause the visitors problems.
Former Harrogate Town defender and Darlington captain Alan White barks the orders
Railway looked set to go in at the break only a goal down until a sucker punch when the ball was lifted up to Amar Purewal. The manner of how Purewal chested the ball down for Thompson was exceptional, but the finish was top quality. Thompson simply volleyed the ball out of Crook’s reach and into the bottom corner from 18 yards – a wonderful goal.
Railway changed their tactics during the second half by moving Youhill upfront. But it was substitute Colin Hunter who had Railway’s best opportunities. On both occasions, the chances went wasted.
Harrogate ran out of steam towards the end and were lucky the defeat wasn’t made heavier. Crook was the saviour for Railway with a string of top saves. The on-loan stopper denied Purewal twice along with Nathan Fisher.
For a team with a limited budget, the defeat was far from a disgrace and Miller will go to bed proud of his team and club’s efforts on a day when they entertained a big name that is going places.
Harrogate Railway: Crook, Thirkell, L Hunter, Wood, Morris, Dixon, Youhill (Ibrahimi 75), Metcalfe, Maloney (Bromley 71), Sellars, Radcliffe (C Hunter 57). Subs unused: Kidd, Jordan.
Darlington 1883: Bell, Harrison, Galbraith, White (captain), Hunter, Robinson, Hopson, Tait, Dowson (Fisher 62), Purewal (Johnson 90), Thompson (Davis 77). Subs unused: Weldon, Jameson.
Referee: N Munday
Attendance: 1026
Man of the match: Steve Thompson (Darlington 1883)
Match Photos are HERE