Brighouse Town goalkeeper Jacob Giles is left on his back and after being tackled in possession of the ball by Stephen Bromley, who was able to tap home into the empty net during Harrogate Railway’s 2-1 defeat to Brighouse Town in the West Riding County Cup. Photo: Caught Light Photography
It didn’t start well at all, but Brighouse Town returned to winning ways with their trusted playing style back in use – much to Paul Quinn’s delight.
Injuries and suspensions have forced Quinn to abandon his favoured system, which helped them win the Toolstation NCEL Premier Division title at a canter last season, in recent weeks.
Last night it was back and it helped them progress into the West Riding County Cup second round with a 2-1 win at Harrogate Railway.
The newly-promoted Evo Stik Division One North side had to recover from a calamitous mistake and lethargic first half to book a trip to Silsden or Barnoldswick Town in the next round.
Quinn told Non League Yorkshire: “We deserved it.
“Although our play in the final third was poor, we had the lions’ share of the possession throughout the game.
“We asked the lads to be a bit braver as we have come off the back of three really tough games and in a way it is a blessing in disguise because we have learnt more about the league in the last ten days than we have done all season.
“The first goal (for Railway) has come from us trying to play and I said to the lads before the game that if we make an error at the back, I’ll take responsibility.
“I wanted them to be braver on the ball and they were. In the second half we needed a bit of magic in the final third and to be fair, I’m just disappointed we didn’t extend the scoreline.
“I’m delighted because regardless of the competition, off the back of three defeats, it’s nice to get back to winning ways.”
Malachi Farquharson holds off Brighouse’s Shaquille Clarke-Adams. Picture: Caught Light Photography
Brighouse midfielder Martin Allison is tracked by Harrogate captain Jason Mycoe. Photo: Caught Light Photography
It was the playing style that got Brighouse into trouble early on at Station View.
Quinn’s men play the ball out from the back and in the first few minutes, there were a number of hairy moments.
Brighouse goalkeeper Jacob Giles and his centre-halves Adam Wilson and Tyrone Gay were getting themselves in mix-ups and ultimately paid the price by gifting Railway the opening goal.
Giles was given the ball back from his short goal-kick, but hadn’t anticipated the persistent of Steve Bromley, chased the former Leeds Carnergie goalkeeper down.
He put a hard, but clean tackle in and won the ball which allowed him to tap the ball into the empty net from inside the six-yard box.
Although there was some good build-up play, most notably from star player Ryan Hall, Brighouse, never properly tested Railway stopper Karl Dean.
Railway, on the other hand, almost went 2-0 in front when talisman Nathan Cartman tried to lob Giles.
The second half was a totally different story. Brighouse swapped roles with Railway with the latter struggling to grasp any foothold on the final half.
The visitors suddenly turned their possession into a real threat and the two central midfielders – the experienced Martin Allison and Shaquille Clarke-Adams started to have a say.
A fortunate free kick on the edge of the box allowed a way back – Allison powerfully converted it with the help of a deflection.
Brighouse were now well and truly in control of the cup tie and Railway were rocking.
Tom Matthews, the last person you want to do so, went through on goal and past Dean before uncharacteristically finding the side net with the open goal gaping.
That might have been a let-off, but the goal was clearly coming and it soon arrived.
Former Ossett Town winger Clarke-Adams was allowed to run some distance with the ball at his feet and Railway’s defence kept backing off until it was took late as the midfielder had planted the ball in the bottom corner.
Brighouse continued to get into some good positions. Hall was unlucky with two attempts which could have sealed his side’s victory.
Railway threw on talented young strikers Malachi Farquharson and Lamin Colley along with wing wizard Rob Youhill in a bid to force extra-time.
The home side got in some good positions late-on, but they ran out of time and Brighouse held on to celebrate a much-needed win.
Railway were left to rue on a poor second half display, but Billy Miller’s side can look forward to the glitz and glamour of the FA Cup second qualifying round trip to Colwyn Bay on Saturday.
Harrogate Railway: Dean, Thirkell, Kidd, Morris, Coates, Mycoe, Sharrocks (Colley 75), Hesketh (Youhill 55), Cartman, Bromley (Farquarson 61), Ibrahimi. Sub unused: Ashforth.
Brighouse Town: Giles, Field, Scott, Wilson, Gay, Brown, Allison, Clarke-Adams, Frankland (Hurtley 58), Matthews (Billington 85), Hall. Subs unused: Baldwin, Quinn, Bower.
Referee: Gareth Rhodes
Ref Rating: 8/10
Attendance: 79
Man of the match: Shaquille Clarke-Adams (Brighouse Town)
Look out for all the coverage of Railway’s FA Cup tie at Colwyn Bay later in the week on Non League Yorkshire.