Toolstation NCEL Premier Division
Hall Road Rangers 3-1 Harrogate Railway
Harrogate Railway striker Jason Price jumps for a header. Picture: Lee Myers
Hall Road Rangers claimed their first win of the season in the NCEL Premier Division at the fourth time of asking after two previous draws and opening day defeat.
It was a patched up Rangers side with Hall Road boss Dave Ricardo without five first team regulars.
They had to really work for their win in the first hour, but ultimately in the end became a comfortable affair.
Railway their visitors provided a tough test for Hall Road as they pressed high up the pitch and didn’t allow any of the players to have too much time on the ball.
Former Hull City player Jason Price was a nuisance up front for the visitors, and caused all sorts of problems for Hall Road’s defence but they came through it relatively unscathed.
There were many half chances in the first period but that’s all that they were as neither side could really be clinical enough in front of goal.
Harrogate took the lead in the 42nd minute through a well taken finish from Price who ultimately deserved to get onto the scoresheet after his work and endeavour throughout the first half.
Hall Road hit back in first half stoppage time as Danny Norton’s shot rattled the underside of the crossbar and bounced over the line.
It took a few moments for the officials to confirm the goal as Matty Crane netted the rebound, but a goal was given for Norton’s original thunderous strike to restore parity.
The second half was a better spectacle as more clear cut chances were being created and Hall Road began to take a hold of the game.
They led for the first time in the contest, after Crane scored when teed up by Norton superb run on the right hand side in the 62nd minute.
Rangers made it 3-1 in the 72nd minute when Gareth Owen got on the end of a Norton cross to tap home.
Hall Road continued to press for more goals as substitute Alex Stock, making his senior debut for Dave Ricardo’s side, saw his speculative shot tipped over the crossbar by the Harrogate goalkeeper.