FA Cup hero: Harrogate Railway midfielder Adam Baker (left) with Lamin Colley (right) runs to celebrate his winning goal in the Preliminary Round victory at Garforth Town
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Words and pictures by James Grayson (@jamesAgrayson, @NonLeagueNorth)
Two goals in the closing stages pulled Harrogate Railway back from the brink of defeat at Garforth Town and propelled Billy Miller’s men into the FA Cup First Qualifying Round.
Railway were staring down the barrel of a FA Cup Preliminary Round exit to lower league opposition after Curtly Martin-Wyatt’s goal gave Garforth a lead they held for over 70 minutes.
Harrogate, who were facing a fourth straight defeat, threw caution to the wind and the introduction of substitutes Lamin Colley, Fatlum Ibrahim and Steve Bromley paid dividends.
Colley supplied the pass for Railway’s regular goal hero Nathan Cartman to equalise from and the latter played a role when promising midfielder Adam Baker scored the dramatic winner.
Harrogate chief Miller told Non League Yorkshire: “We hadn’t created any clear-cut chances up until the goal.
“We had decided when we were chasing the game we would go four up top and sacrifice one of the full-backs.
“The introduction of Lamin was really good for us as he had the injection of pace and he passed to Carts for the first goal.
“I disagree (that we got out of jail) because I think we had miles more chances than them.
“We knew we were going to up against it in the first half because of the wind and I felt a bit for both teams.
“We said playing against the wind was going to create problems and it did.
“Perhaps we could have dealt with the free kick (for the first goal) better than we did, but, you have to give credit to the lad who delivered it because it was outstanding.
“There are rumours that the lad who scored put it in with his hand which is a bit naughty, but, it is what it is as we got away with it in the end.
“If you look towards the back end of the second half, Lamin Colley could have got a hat-trick, Carts missed two or three chances and so has Adam Baker and Alex Metcalfe.
“It’s difficult because Garforth have played really well and Graham has got them playing well.
“They have to feel for them, but we needed that.”
Andy Hawksworth waves his hands in the air after Curtly Martin-Wyatt puts Garforth Town in front
What you’re giving the goal: Harrogate defender Lawrence Hunter looks shocked when referee Mark Dwyer awards the opening goal, despite a suspicion of handball
Harrogate defender Mike Morris waves his hand to indicate what he has seen
Garforth Town celebrate the opening goal
Described as a “banana skin” tie for Railway by Miller, Garforth must have fancied their chances due to Harrogate’s bad start to the Evo Stik Division One North season.
The conditions weren’t going to help the visitors either during the first half as the wind was blowing in Toolstation NCEL Premier Division side Garforth’s favour.
Jay Davis’ in-swinging free kick from the left met the head of Martin-Wyatt and Garforth had their dream start.
Mike Morris and former Garforth player Lawrence Hunter claimed that the striker has put the ball in the net with his hand – but the referee disagreed and the goal was given.
Harrogate struggled to get out of their own half during the opening 45 minutes, but, Miller’s men managed to see it out without any further goals conceded.
Garforth must have known at half-time that they could face the battle of the Alamo in the second half. Despite having a young team, Railway have bags of experience and quality in their side.
Rob Youhill is rated as one of the best wingers in their Division and talisman Cartman is arguably one of the most sought after strikers in West Yorkshire so Railway were always going to come strong.
Harrogate’s hero Adam Baker was one of seven players shown a yellow card in a fairly well-natured game
Lamin Colley crosses for Nathan Cartman to equalise for Harrogate Railway
The dream is back on: Harrogate’s talismanic striker Nathan Cartman celebrates his equaliser
Harrogate Railway players celebrate
Adam Baker scores the winning goal for Harrogate Railway
Pile-on: Harrogate Railway celebrate Adam Baker’s winning goal with Lawrence Hunter acting as the pile-on co-ordinator
Garforth’s heart-breaking late defeat was further compounded by Tawanda Rupere’s harsh red card during injury-time
Why?: Referee Mark Dwyer receives the thoughts of Garforth captain Andy Hawksworth on the red card
Red mist: Tawanda Rupere leaves his Garforth Town team-mates to fight out the final few minutes
Harrogate Railway captain and man of the match Jason Mycoe walks off to applause from some of Railway’s large travelling support
The crowd didn’t initially get the Railway onslaught as it was Garforth who looked more threatening with a couple of half opportunities.
From an action point of view, there were more yellow cards than chances after 20 minutes of the final half.
Referee Mark Dwyer’s policy of brandishing a yellow card for every foul caused a flurry of cautions and by the 72nd minute, three Railway and four Garforth players were in his notepad.
Even as the clock reached 78 minutes, Railway were not panicking. The changes in personnel and system were beginning to take effect and the momentum suddenly shifted to Railway.
Former Farsley AFC striker Colley made an excellent run down the right-wing and for the first time in the match, the Garforth defence was exposed.
The home side faced real danger and Colley’s low pass gave Cartman the simple task of placing the ball home with the goal being greeted by a huge cheer from the large Railway support.
A replay at Station View on Monday night was looming, but, Railway had other ideas.
Baker exchanged passes with Cartman as Railway broke forward at speed. The quick passes gave Railway good field position and Baker hit a beautiful shot from outside the box which found the net.
The celebration from the Railway players took its story and the win brings some reward for their efforts in the last few weeks.
Colley had at least two chances to seal the victory in last few minutes, but, Garforth held their nerve and ensured Railway had to endure a jittery end to the match.
If the late defeat was a bitter pill to swallow for Garforth, the pain was compounded by the unnecessary red card given to Tawanda Rupere during injury-time which baffled the crowd.
Rupere was shown his second yellow card for a little nudge on Bromley during a battle to win a header from a throw-in.
The dismissal for persistent fouling harshly tarnished a game which Garforth should take a lot of positives from.
For the first time since taking charge last year, Graham Nicholas’ Garforth have pushed a Evo Stik team all the way and although the result was a defeat, the facts show how far the Wheatley Park club have come in 13 months.
Garforth Town: Hunter, Hawksworth (captain), Harris, Wood, Alali, Rupere, Davis, Akeroyd (Oyebanji 59), Martin-Wyatt (Sutton 74), Mangham, Black. Subs unused: Smith, Newbould.
Harrogate Railway: Dean, Hunter, Kidd (Bromley 75), Morris, Thirkell, Mycoe (captain), Youhill (Colley 57), Metcalfe, Cartman, Baker, Coates (Ibrahim 67). Sub unused: Ashforth.
Referee: M Dwyer
Ref Rating: 6/10
Attendance: 120
Man of the match: Jason Mycoe (Harrogate Railway).