Togetherness: Harrogate Railway players are all pushing in the right direction. Photo: Caught Light Photography
Red hot Harrogate Railway romped to their biggest win under Billy Miller and Lee Ashforth as higher-league Frickley Athletic were thrashed 7-1 in the Doodson Sport Cup second round.
And it can’t be said that 31-goal-hero Nathan Cartman was the brains behind the win as his best buddy Malachi Farquharson got four on an incredible night at Station View.
The pair were described as the ‘Cole and Yorke of the Evo Stik’ last week and they once again showed their worth.
Evo Stik Premier Division Frickley did rest several of their key players, but Karl Rose still fielded a side capable of defeating Rail.
But, put together a poor performance and a rampant Railway display and the answer is a fifth consecutive victory for the home side, who are simply unstoppable going forward at the moment.
Goals were flying in from all angles after Frickley collapsed following Railway’s opening strike on the half hour mark.
The game was still fairly tight at this point and there had been no signs that the visitors would the raise the white flag.
Frickley had dealt with a succession of Harrogate corners quite well before Lawrence Hunter’s delivery was headed into his own net by Jameel Ible.
The floodgates opened. Railway’s magnificent wing wizard Rob Youhill caused mayhem and so did left winger Adam Baker.
Frickley’s defence were all at sea as Cartman provided the assist for Baker to superbly score after a Railway counter-attack.
Railway fans have become so accustomed to Cartman finding the net recently that their legendary tannoy man announced that the talismanic striker had scored it.
Adam Baker puts Harrogate Railway 2-0 in front against Frickley. Photo: Caught Light Photography
The dream night soon got even better as Farquharson opened his account for the evening with a goal from a scramble.
Those watching must have expected Frickley to respond with something as the second half began, but there was nothing apart from four more goals conceded in the space of 13 minutes.
Farquharson, whose own performances have been overshadowed by Cartman’s sensational form, stepped out of the shadows to make a statement of his own.
Frickley’s defending was non-existence to say the least as Farquharson tapped home Youhill’s mis-cued shot for goal number four.
The match-ball was soon heading the striker’s way as he put another Hunter corner in the back of the net.
Frickley manager Rose had his head in his hands moments later as goalkeeper Sam Leigh blasted a simple clearance straight at Farquharson’s big frame.
Luck was so much with Railway that the ball ricocheted off him and landed in the net for his fourth and Railway’s sixth.
He might have only been mentioned once, but Cartman was still on the pitch and he got his reward for his efforts thanks to Baker, who repaid the compliment for the second goal.
Frickley, once again, switched off in the six-yard-box and allowed Baker to keep the ball in play on the dead-ball line.
Cartman reacted quickly and smashed the ball into the net from inches out.
Frickley did grab a consolation after a mistake by Rail goalkeeper Tom Goodwin.
Bobby Johnson scored a simple tap-in, but even then Frickley still finished the game poorly.
Both Cartman and substitute Stephen Bromley both broke through in separate chances and only good saves from Leigh kept the already embarrassing score-line down.
The PA announcer led the celebrations at the end, loudly reminding everyone of the final score – a victory of a size that Railway haven’t seen for a long time.
Rose and Frickley trudged off listening to him, probably wishing they had stayed at home.
Harrogate Railway: Goodwin, Thirkell (Kidd 63), Hunter, Heath, Morris, Ibrahimi, Youhill (Hickey 81), Mycoe (captain), Cartman, Farquharson (Bromley 68), Baker. Subs unused: Coates, Martin-Farina.
Frickley Athletic: Leigh, Hinsley, Riley, Stannard, Cyrus, Leonard, Johnson, Broadhead, Jeffs (Young 52), Hornsey, Ible. Subs unused: Bloor, Stratford, Rose, Simpson.
Referee: Craig Hainsworth
Ref Rating: 8/10
Attendance: 79
Man of the match: Malachi Farquharson (Harrogate Railway)
Watch the video of Railway assistant manager Lee Ashforth’s interview above (video courtesy of Caught Light Photography)
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