Ryan Sharrocks on the attack for Harrogate Railway against Kendal Town. Picture: Caught Light Photography
Second half wonder-strikes from Garry Hunter and Sam Bailey were the difference for Kendal Town who sealed a 3-1 win over Harrogate Railway at Station View.
After a first half of few chances, as could be expected in the soaking wet conditions, Hunter lit up the contest as he crashed a free-kick in off the Railway bar.
The Mintcakes added a second screamer just two minutes later when Bailey let rip from the left wing; bending a shot into the top corner.
Railway halved the deficit through Dan Barrett’s close range finish on 58 minutes, but were then undone on the break with Jordan Connerton tapping home and putting the result beyond doubt.
Lee Ashforth made three changes from Monday night with Lawrence Hunter, Fatlum Ibrahimi and Rob Worrall returning to the side in place of Geoge Mason, Alex Low and Will Peers.
The first 20 minutes was a case of getting to grips with the conditions as the muddy pitch left it difficult for either side to assert their authority on the contest.
Kendal captain Craig Carney tried his luck from range but was some way off target just moments after Sam Bailey’s first on target effort of the game was comfortably saved by Tom Stewart.
Stewart was on hand again to deny Aaron Taylor’s low strike before some quick exchanges on the counter attack between Stephen Bromley and Ibrahimi lead to Worrall testing Will Kitchen in the Kendal goal.
It was fair to say the first half was a bit of a non-event, but the second half was certainly the opposite.
Michael Stringfellow’s men came flying out of the blocks and forced Hunter into completing a vital goal line clearance to prevent his side conceding just a minute into the second half.
The Mintcakes then claimed the opening goal of the contest in the 52nd minute when Hunter rattled a free kick off the bar and over the line from the edge of the box.
Kendal’s second came just two minutes later, and was an even better strike than the first, as Bailey found space on the left wing and arrowed an unstoppable effort into the top right corner.
Ashforth was preparing Barrett from the bench at 1-0 down, but it was 2-0 before the striker could be introduced in place of Worrall.
And Barrett made just the impact Railway’s Manager was looking for, getting himself on the score-sheet just moments after Ryan Sharrocks had beat his man and fired into the side netting.
Hunter sent a dangerous corner into the box that was headed towards goal by Bromley only for Barrett to nick the final touch on the line and put Railway right back in the mix.
Railway tried desperately for an equaliser against a Kendal side only defeated once on the road in the league this season, but saw corner after corner cleared away.
Bromley came closest to levelling for the hosts in the 73rd minute, but his powerful left footed effort was beaten away by Kitchen and cleared.
Kendal then hit Railway with a sucker punch in the 76th as Taylor broke down the right wing and crossed low in front of the goalmouth for Connerton to tap in.
Substitute Barrett looked to carry on the fight for Railway but his long range effort was caught by Kitchen in the 85th minute.
With pitch conditions rapidly deteriorating, Railway couldn’t find a way back into the game and now look ahead to next weekend’s trip to bottom of the league New Mills.
Harrogate Railway: Stewart, Parkes, Hunter, Pells, Horne, Thirkell, Sharrocks, Stockdill, Worrall (Barrett 55), Bromley, Ibrahimi (Peers 69). Subs unused: Dhesi, Brown, Goodwin.
Kendal Town: Kitchen, Aspin, Wardle, Bailey, Smyth, Smalley, Carney, Hunter, Connerton, Taylor (Randell 77), Kilfin (Wilkins 69). Subs unused: Forbes, Wilson, Thomas
Referee: R. Welch
Attendance: 87