Toolstation NCEL Premier Division
Armthorpe Welfare 1-2 Harrogate Railway
Paul Beesley heads the ball down to set up a chance for Stephen Bromley to score during the win at Armthorpe Welfare. Picture: Caught Light Photography
Paul Beesley finally celebrated his first win as player/manager of Harrogate Railway after his side won the nervy encounter at fellow strugglers Armthorpe Welfare.
Railway’s squad was drastically impacted with players injured, suspended and unavailable to make the trip due to work commitments.
The Rail kicked off the game with just one substitute available on the bench.
The first half was a cagey affair, with both teams probing each other’s defence, trying to create an opportunity to score.
During the first 45 minutes, the better of the chances fell to the visitors, with Beesley making Will Biggs in the Armthorpe goal make a couple of great saves to keep the sides level.
At the other end, Welfare created a few half-chances, but Railway’s keeper Adam Birkinshaw comfortably dealt them with. The teams went in at half time goalless.
The second half saw Railway slowly getting longer spells of possession, with Brandon Deane and Ryan Sharrocks on the wings getting more and more success in beating the Armthorpe defenders.
Up front, Paul Beesley and Stephen Bromley were creating a number of chances, with the Wellie’s keeper continuing to make some fine stops.
In the 58th minute, it was a ball through the centre of defence that undid Armthorpe.
Bromley, slipped around the defender and ran in on goal, with only the keeper to beat.
Despite Biggs attempts to get to the ball, Bromley won the race and fired it home to give Railway a much deserved lead.
Armthorpe tried to respond, but Harrogate’s confidence was high and they pressed for a second. That came in the 77th minute.
The Welfare right back had been given a torrid time all match by Deane and found himself yet again under pressure from the pacey forward.
Facing the goal, the right back tried to pass the ball to his keeper, but under-hit it, allowing Deane to collect the ball on the edge of the box and run in on goal.
Will Biggs, raced out to close down the angle, but Deane calmly struck the ball around the advancing keeper to increase Railway’s lead.
Railway then made their only available substitution on the night, with Bromley going off and James Whiteley making his debut appearance for Harrogate Railway.
Armthorpe also made several substitutions, knowing that they had nothing to lose by going on the all-out attack.
Their persistence paid off in the 82nd minute when Craig Aspinall pulled a goal back for the home team.
Over the course of the next few minutes, Welfare continued to press for the equaliser, with Railway content at hitting them on the break.
The referee added four minutes for substitutions and injuries, and it was with some relief that the Harrogate Railway players celebrated when he blew his whistle for full time.
The Teams
Armthorpe Welfare: Biggs, Rhodes, McLaughlin, Stannard, Garner, Waldron, Preston, Aspinall (captain), Mansaram, Radford, Brigham. Subs: Collins, Taylor, Bouser, Bulman, Gibbons.
Harrogate Railway: Birkinshaw, Chadman, Riley, Bravelli, Lees, Kidd, R Sharrocks, Ovington, Bromley, Beesley, Deane. Subs: Whiteley, B Sharrocks, Brown.