Cometh the hour, cometh the man: Nathan Cartman celebrating levelling the scores in Harrogate Railway’s 3-2 defeat at Colwyn Bay. Photo: Caught Light Photography
An “unbelievably proud” Billy Miller paid tribute to his brave players after Harrogate Railway pushed Colwyn Bay to the brink of a replay in the FA Cup second qualifying round defeat.
The history books will read a 3-2 win for the North Wales-based outfit, but Railway produced a sterling performance to give the home side a real scare.
The Conference North side had led until the 63rd minute when Railway’s talisman Nathan Cartman equalised – sparking scenes of jubilation.
The scores were level for just 60 seconds as the Bay struck twice in a matter of minutes to seemingly to seal their passage.
However, quick as flash, Lamin Colley headed home to set up a dramatic last 20 minutes which saw Railway push the home side to the wire in search of an equaliser.
Bay may have held on, but it was Miller and his team who took the plaudits.
Miller told Non League Yorkshire: “I’m unbelievably proud of the lads.
“We played it down by saying we coming here to enjoy ourselves and we have given a good account or ourselves.
“We had a game plan and knew a little bit about them and I’m sure they knew a lot about us because they came to watch us.
“We had a great plan, but to come away to a Conference North side and get back in the game twice and push them all the way to the 93rd minute is a great achievement.
“I think Colwyn Bay were glad when the final whistle went because when you hear cries of ‘get it in the corner’ after 86 minutes, you know you have got them under the cosh.”
The captains and officials Photo: Caught Light Photography
Railway contest a corner. Photo: Caught Light Photography
Lamin Colley was a handful for Colwyn Bay. Photo: Caught Light Photography
Railway captain Jason Mycoe congratulates Nathan Cartman after his equaliser. Photo: Caught Light Photography
Lamin Colley celebrates dragging Railway back into the game at 3-2. Photo: Caught Light Photography
Railway were more than a match for Colwyn early on with Colley and Cartman giving the home defence as really hard time with their pace and skill.
Colwyn did eventually gain a foothold on the game and that period of pressure ended with the opening goal – midway through the first half.
A Bay cross was punched out of the penalty area by Karl Dean, but the ball landed at the feet of Anthony Stevens and the midfielder was able to pass the ball into the net from 25 yards.
There was more danger to come as Bay looked to kill their visitors off. A quick-passing move between Stephens and Tom Buckley sent Rob Hopley through on goal and the striker finished the move by firing wide.
Dean then had to make a fine double save and his heroics gave Railway hope.
Miller’s heroes hit back and almost equalised when Fatlum Ibrahimi’s header was cleared off-the-line by Lanre Olapade.
Harrogate maintained the momentum in the second half with Colley again being the danger man.
His pace and ability was causing problems for Bay’s defence and referee Scott Oldham turned down two good penalty appeals inside five minutes after fouls on the striker.
But that wasn’t going to stop Railway. The hour arrived and so did their moment.
Dan Thirkell’s run down the right ended a fine cross into the penalty area with the ball going straight to Colley’s feet.
Colley turned his markers and fed Cartman, who drew the goalkeeper out and planted the ball into the bottom corner before running into the arms of Railway chairman Nigel Corner.
However, their joy didn’t last long. A Buckley cross to the far post was met by the head of Marc Williams, whose header was out of Dean’s reach.
Railway’s hopes looked to have extinguished when Bay scored again within two minutes. A fine pass from Arron Rey sent Buckley through ahead of Thirkell.
Thirkell did well to track back, but Buckley still got a shot away which Dean was able to save. However, the ball bobbled back to the Bay player and he was able to tap home.
Some sides would have thrown the towel down, but Railway didn’t and they kept believing.
Wing wizard Rob Youhill broke down the right and produced the cross of the match to find Colley in the six-yard-box and there to head Railway back into the game.
Bay did look dangerous on the counter attack, but Railway gave everything in their search for an equaliser.
Railway had plenty of corners, but the best chance fell with four minutes to go. Ibrahimi’s low cross gave Colwyn problems and Colley met it, but fired over from a good position.
Apart from a late appeal for another penalty after a handball that was the end of Railway’s FA Cup dream – but they didn’t go down without a huge fight.
Miller couldn’t have asked for more.
Colwyn Bay: Sharpe, Olapade, Moss (Haywood 63), Anjos, Bembo-Leta, Stephens, Buckley (Hodgson 90), Anoruo (Rey 29), Hopley, Williams (captain), Royle. Subs not used: Ollerenshaw, Pilliner, Saiel, Mendes.
Harrogate Railway: Dean, Thirkell, Kidd, Morris, Coates, Mycoe (captain), Youhill, Ibrahimi, Cartman, Colley, Bromley (Farquarson 64). Subs unused: Hickey, Smith, Baker, Hunter.
Referee: Scott Oldham
Ref Rating: 7/10
Attendance: 223
Man of the match: Dan Thirkell (Harrogate Railway)