No way through: Matty James is surrounded by three Harrogate Railway players
Match Photos are HERE
Billy Miller admitted he felt for Farsley AFC after his Harrogate Railway side ended their Evo Stik Division One North play-offs hopes by holding them to 0-0 stalemate at Throstle Nest.
Neil Parsley’s Farsley went into the game knowing that a win was the only option if they wanted to remain in the race for a top five.
But, Railway defended really well in a game of few chances and held on to earn a point and inflict a fatal blow onto Farsley.
Miller said: “I massively feel for them.
“I know how hard they work and where they want to go as a club. We’re a club in transition and learning to be in this league.
“Farsley are one step beyond that and I know the direction they’re going in so I of course I feel for them.
“Pars and Jacko (assistant manager Mark Jackson) were really good to me when I first went into management (with Liversedge).”
On the game, he added: “We didn’t create too much, but on the day, a draw isn’t a bad result.
“We set our stall out and having played Farsley a lot over the last two we have a good idea of their strengths and weaknesses and how good they are.
“Irrelevant of today they’re a top class side.
“We tried to nullify them and it worked for us. We looked really good on the counter attack
“It wasn’t the greatest game… but we’ll take that. Four points in three days is a great return. We weren’t great on Saturday and we probably played 20 times better today.
“Yet on Saturday, we won 4-1 so it is a funny old game.”
Dan Thirkell tackles Farsley AFC striker Adam Priestley
For a side that had to win, there was no urgency to Farsley’s play. The back five, like they have been all season, were excellent, but going forward Farsley lacked teeth and the fact that Peter Crook was only required to make one real save backs that view up.
Railway’s veteran midfielder Colin Hunter, who is set to retire after Saturday’s home game with Warrington Town, came the closest to scoring in a dire first half. His powerful long range had to be collected at the second attempt by Farsley goalkeeper Tom Morgan.
Farsley began the second half brightly. Adam Priestley headed the ball into the side-netting within minutes of the game restarting.
As Miller observed, Railway were dangerous on the counter attack and Nathan Cartman fired wide from one of the visitors’ ventures forward.
The last 20 minutes was mainly all Farsley and Railway coped really well. Mike Morris and Dan Thirkell were both excellent as centre-halves – the pair headed and kicked everything away from danger.
Fatlum Ibrahimi was excellent for Harrogate Railway in midfield
In midfield, man of the match youngster Fatlum Ibrahimi continues to enhance his reputation after another fine display. Railway defended as a solid unit and their performance underlines why Miller’s men have done so well this season.
There was only one moment where their defence looked set to be breached. Inside the penalty area, Priestley teed-up the unmarked Ross Daly, but the midfield somehow fired wide from 16 yards.
Priestley was again inches away from breaking the deadlock when he found space on the right-side of the box. However, his effort hit the side-netting.
By the end, defender and stand-in Matt Dempsey was even upfront for Farsley in a desperate bid to scramble a dramatic winner.
But, that failed to materialise and the faces of the Farsley players as they walked off told the whole story.
Farsley AFC: Morgan, Hardy, Grant, Daly (Owen 87), Dempsey (captain), Miller, Hull, Young, Priestley, Savory, James (Serrant 64). Subs unused: Taylor, Bambrook, Hancock.
Harrogate Railway: Crook, Kidd, Swain (L Hunter 22), Thirkell, Morris, Ibrahimi, Baker, Cartman (captain), Bromley (Katsamagkas 58), C Hunter (Dwyer 80), Radcliffe. Sub unused: Ashforth.
Referee: M Dywer
Ref Rating: 7/10
Attendance: 170
Man of the match: Fatlum Ibrahimi