Railway strike late to deny Campion

Campion 3-4 Harrogate Railway

Chris Ovington struck the late winner to spare Harrogate Railway’s blushes at Toolstation NCEL Division One newcomers Campion.

The Bradford-based outfit came back from two goals down to be on the verge of completing a scalp in their first game since their promotion to the NCEL.

Although the league campaign is still a few weeks away, Campion look like a good addition to the NCEL family, in terms of team and ground. The floodlights are going in the next few weeks and that will ensure the club have a ground that is more than good enough for step six football.

As pre-season friendlies go, this was a very entertaining one. Railway pounced twice towards the end of the first half to give themselves a solid half-time lead.

Simon Parkes scored a rare goal after breaking forward from his right-back position. Izzy Mbire was then given too much on the edge of the penalty area before he found the net with a cool finish.

Ovington wasted Railway’s chance to kill the home side straight after the interval. The attacker blazed wide when bearing down on Campion’s goalkeeper.

With Railway also making a few chances, Lee Ashforth’s men became disjointed and Campion took full advantage of this.

Jonny Greenhalgh’s brilliant back-post strike set in motion a wave of Campion attacks. Within a few minutes, Campion equalised as left-back Fabian Evans was allowed to waltz in undetected.

Matty Waller then hit the post with an audacious effort from a unlikely position.

The pressure was really building on Railway and a penalty because of a handball allowed Waller to place Campion in front with ten minutes to go.

That gave Railway the kick they needed and they hit back straightaway with Steve Bromley heading home Alex Low’s cross.

Ovington then had the last word after breaking clear on goal.