Nathan Cartman scores the goal of the game in Harrogate Railway’s 3-2 defeat to Spennymoor. Photo: Caught Light Photography
Two first half goals proved the difference for Spennymoor Town in their 3-2 win at Harrogate Railway in the FA Trophy Preliminary Round tie.
Strikes from Shane Henry and Liam Henderson put Spennymoor into a commanding positiion, but Railway hit back after the break.
Malachi Farquharson dragged Railway back into it before Michael Roberts restored the visitors’ two goal lead.
Then with 20 minutes to go, Nathan Cartman popped up with a sensational goal to give Railway hope.
Harrogate pushed their visitors right to the wire, but a resolute Spennymoor held on to book a first qualifying round tie with either Lancaster City or Bamber Bridge.
Conceding two goals in a short space of time has been the story of Harrogate’s season.
Railway had started well in front of a large crowd at Station View. Young defender Harry Coates had a header cleared off-the-line and that indicated that Railway were capable of upsetting the applecart and beating the 2012 FA Vase winners.
Adam Baker looks to create an attack for Harrogate. Photo: Caught Light Photography
Harrogate captain Jason Mycoe tracking the progress of Spennymoor’s Gavin Cogdon. Photo: Caught Light Photography
Mike Morris’ puts his head on the line in Harrogate’s 3-2 defeat to Spennymoor in the FA Trophy. Photo: Caught Light Photography
However, Spennymoor grabbed the ascendancy with a spate of chances.
Roberts and Andrew Stephenson both went close minutes before the opening goal.
Railway had several opportunities to clear their lines from a corner, but instead paid the price.
The ball was pinged back into the penalty area and Henry was able to turn and bury the ball in the net from 12 yards.
Spennymoor continued to look dangerous. Railway goalkeeper Karl Dean denied Henry with a top save before a low drive from Henderson put the away side on course for victory with the second goal.
Railway could have folded there and then. But Billy Miller’s men responded to a half-time roasting with an immediate goal.
Adam Baker made the pass and Farquharson did the rest. The striker breached the Spennymoor back four and kept his cool to score with a well-timed finish.
However, Railway’s joy did not last for long. Referee Andrew Dunne was still being screamed at over a penalty shout after Cartman appeared to have been foul, as substitute Gavin Cogdon raced down the right-wing.
Cogdon got past Greg Kidd with ease and a killer pass sent Roberts away. The striker rounded the on-rushing Dean before smashing the ball home from close range.
Malachi Farquharson scores to drag Harrogate Railway back into the game at 2-1. Photo: Caught Light Photography
Spennymoor winger Anthony Peacock, who was replaced at half-time, in action. Photo: Caught Light Photography
Rob Youhill striding forward for Harrogate Railway. Photo: Caught Light Photography
Railway were then lucky to escape from conceding a fourth goal as Coates was bailed out by Dean after a mistake.
Harrogate lived to fight another day and that paved the way for the late hope. Farquharson was involved again by holding the ball up and playing the pass, but the moment belonged to Railway’s talisman Cartman.
Cartman, who recently signed a contract at the club, has been involved in most of Railway’s memorable moments this season and he added another to the back-catalogue.
The former Liversedge and Brighouse striker spectacularly curled the ball into the top corner from 25 yards and suddenly Spennymoor were on the rack.
Baker wasted an excellent opportunity after Cartman had missed the chance to head home from Rob Youhill’s cross.
Farquharson and Dan Thirkell then had shots booted off-the-line from the same corners.
A string of stoppages halted Railway’s momentum and Spennymoor were able to hold on.
Harrogate Railway manager Billy Miller:
“The reaction from going 2-0 down is the most positive that we take from the match.
“What we have said to the lads is that we shouldn’t have to keep coming in and having a go to get a reaction.
“We have to start a game like that. I did think we started the game quite lively.
“We had some chances, but I felt they were just a bit more clinical than us in the first half as they made their chances count.”
Spennymoor Town manager Jason Ainsley:
“I thought we started well, but I thought it was a game of two halves.
“I thought in the first half we were dominant. In the second half, Harrogate put us under a lot of pressure.
“The front three were excellent for Harrogate, especially in the second half when they turned the screw.
“I felt we always had another gear to go to and we made life hard for ourselves when we had the cushion of two goals.
“Harrogate deserved something from the game from their second half performance. I was quite worried towards the end of the game because they put us under pressure.
“The front three can cause problems for any team in this league. The report we had on them was bang right.
“The trophy is all about getting through to the next round and we have done that. We have goals in our team.
“Can we play better? Yes we can, but the result was more important today.”
Harrogate Railway: Dean, Thirkell, Kidd, Morris, Coates, Mycoe (captain), Youhill, Ibrahimi, Cartman, Farquharson, Baker (Hickey 80). Subs unused: Simpson, Ashforth, Avery.
Spennymoor Town: McHugh, Griffiths, Mason (captain), Dodds, Tait, Capper (Johnson 52), Stephenson, Henry, Henderson, Roberts (Fisher 82), Peacock (Cogdon HT). Subs unused: Graydon, Sayer.
Referee: Andrew Dunne
Ref Rating: 7/10
Attendance: 241
Man of the match: Adam McHugh (Spennymoor Town)
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