Evo Stik Division One North
Harrogate Railway 4-1 New Mills
Action from Harrogate Railway 4-1 New Mills. Picture: Caught Light Photography
A convincing second half performance saw Harrogate Railway claim a fourth home win of the season as they overcame hopeless New Mills.
The victory celebrations were dampened by the news that Ossett Town had won at Prescot Cables.
Michael Jones gave the winless visitors a shock lead after 12 minutes, but Chris Ovington struck six minutes later to put Railway back on level terms.
Harry Coates headed the hosts in front 11 minutes after the break with Ovington smashing home his second of the afternoon from close range soon after.
Stephen Bromley made it four as he beat the offside trap and calmly finished to wrap up a deserved win for The Rail, who have now taken seven points from their last three home games.
Lee Ashforth made one change from Monday night’s win over Prescot Cables; handing a first Railway start of the season to Harrogate Town loanee Paul Beesley.
Ovington had looked dangerous right from the off and forced New Mills stopper Oliver Martin into a well-timed block within the first five minutes after the winger had ran clear of the defence.
Martin was again on hand to deal with Beesley’s flicked header before a long ball into the Railway box wasn’t cleared and Jones picked up the scraps to fire past Chandler Hallwood from close range.
It took just six minutes for Railway to find a response though, as Dan Thirkell attempted a diving header from Bromley’s floated cross only to be denied by Martin’s parry that fell to Ovington, who made no mistake from close range.
Garry Brown’s men created a clear chance to take a 2-1 lead into the break when Jake Williams nipped in front of Alex Low on the half way line and dashed towards goal before sending his finish some way over.
The chance served as a warning to Railway who looked much brighter after the break and soon took the lead through Coates’ first Railway goal of the season.
Lawrance Hunter bent in a corner that Coates climbed highest to nestle a header into the bottom corner and give the hosts the lead.
It could have been three on the hour mark when Beesley and Thirkell combined with the latter forcing an excellent low save from Martin.
Thirkell was involved again for Railway’s third as he spread the play left towards Bromley whose direct running and low cross found its way to Ovington who powered home his second of the afternoon low into the net.
The creator of the third then became the scorer of the fourth as New Mills defensive line failed to react to Coates’ through ball and Bromley ran unopposed into the opposition half and placed into the bottom corner.
Ovington went close to sealing a memorable hat-trick in the 84th minute when Curtis teed him up on the edge of the box, but Jones made a brave block to keep the score at four.
Dan Barrett was introduced late into the game and nearly created a fifth for Railway as his dribble into the box fell to the feet of Curtis who shot wide.
Ashforth’s men had to work hard to take the lead, but were comfortable when ahead and now look forward to hosting Trafford next Saturday.
Harrogate Railway: Hallwood, Parkes (Lovegreen 76), Hunter, Low, Coates, Thirkell, Bromley, Clamp (Peers 60), Beesley (Barrett 73), Ovington, Curtis. Subs not used: Mason, Mellor.