Gone: Rudy Funk cuts a frustrated figure during Scarborough’s 3-0 defeat at Harrogate Railway. Funk resigned after the game. Photo: Caught Light Photography
Superb Harrogate Railway produced their best performance of the season to deliver a knockout blow on Scarborough Athletic manager Rudy Funk.
Funk resigned, citing non-football reasons, straight after the final whistle after watching his side suffer a 3-0 defeat which could have been a lot worse.
Funk, who had been in charge for three-and-a-half-years, is understood to have handed his club tie and scarf to supporters at the end of the game.
The Seadogs have won just one game on their travels in the Evo Stik Division One North this season and that figure was never going to be doubled at Station View as Funk’s men managed just one shot on target in the whole game.
The visitors were on top for the early stages, but their control was demonstrated in possession rather than attempts on goal.
Railway have strengthened in the last few weeks to cut out the ridiculous amount of goals that they were conceding.
Former Leeds United defender Matt Heath has arrived and he was colossal for Railway at back with his experience all there to be seen.
Young goalkeeper Tom Goodwin has brought the ability to marshal his box effectively and once as Railway got in front, there was no way back for Scarborough.
Rob Youhill was losing his battle with Steven Ridley, but once as the half-hour mark passed, Railway’s wing-wizard had the left-back at sixes and sevens.
Youhill provided the cross for Railway’s talisman Cartman to strike home from 12 yards – with help of Jason White’s right-hand-post.
From then on, Youhill was the thorn in Scarborough’s side. Railway should have had two or three goals before half-time as Fatlum Ibrahimi and Lawrence Hunter wasted good chances.
Harrogate Railway talisman Nathan Cartman closes on in goal. Photo: Caught Light Photography
If Railway worried that the missed opportunities would come back to haunt them in the second half, they didn’t need to as Scarborough had nothing in their locker.
Lawrence Hunter’s brilliant free kick met the head of Malachi Farquharson and the striker’s flicked header found the top corner from the edge of the box for number two – a stunning goal that got the Railway bench jumping up and down.
Cartman and Farquharson are turning into one of the league’s most feared strike-forces and Scarborough’s rocky defence could not cope with them.
Farquharson went close from a Youhill cross and Hunter blazed over after spotting a gap in the visitors’ defence.
Just like they did in the 3-1 defeat to Ossett Town in September, Scarborough threw on three substitutes at the same time in a desperate to salvage something.
As it did at Ossett, the changes had absolutely no effect as Railway continued to cause mayhem.
The decisive third goal began at the feet of Hunter. The left-winger played a excellent ball down the line for Farquharson.
The striker flicked the ball on with his header and Cartman, who is the league’s top-scorer, scuttled away past the remaining Scarborough defenders.
The striker waited for White to come off his line before placing the ball beyond his our-stretched arms to score his 20th goal of a remarkable campaign. The striker celebrated by running into the arms of the Railway supporters behind the goal.
The game petered out after that. Scarborough did manage a shot on goal in the 87th minute from Ryan Blott’s free kick – an easy save for Goodwin which pleased Rail as they were able to hold on for their second clean sheet of the season.
The news of Funk’s exit will dominate the headlines, but the superb display by Railway should not be forgotten.
Harrogate Railway: Goodwin, Coates, Thirkell, Heath, Morris, Mycoe (captain), Youhill (Simpson 91), Ibrahimi, Cartman, Farquharson (Bromley 84), Hunter. Subs unused: Martin-Farina, Ashforth.
Scarborough Athletic: White. Robson, Ridley, Middleton, Burton, Bennett (Ghaichem 63), Beadle, Bolder (captain) (Davidson 63), Blott, Bradshaw, Evans (Williams 63). Subs unused: Hughes, Plummer.
Referee: Aaron Bannister
Ref Rating: 8/10
Attendance: 213
Man of the match: Rob Youhill (Harrogate Railway)
There will be more photos, reaction and news as the day goes on.