Cameron Lyn attempts to stop Harrogate Town’s Jordan Thewlis during the John Smith’s Trophy game. Picture: Caught Light Photography
Harrogate Railway narrowly missed out on lifting the John Smith’s Trophy on Saturday afternoon as Harrogate Town triumphed 1-0 at The CNG Stadium.
Louie Swain’s 57th minute goal was enough for Simon Weaver’s side to claim local bragging rights for another year as Town came out on top in the battle of Harrogate.
Railway had kept their Vanarama National League North opponents quiet for the first half, with Simon Parkes and Jason Mycoe standing out defensively, but the visitors couldn’t find an equaliser in the wet conditions.
A pre-match downpour contributed to a steady opening 25 minutes in which neither side were able to register a shot on target with Town forward Dominic Knowles firing wide on a couple of occasions.
Tom Goodwin was eventually called into action between the sticks, if only to collect Knowles’ weak shot after the striker had combined well with Louie Swain down the left.
The hosts were gradually gathering momentum as the rain eased off and almost took the lead only for Parkes to clear Cecil Nyoni’s low drive off the line moments after Alex Low had deflected Swain’s header out for a corner.
Swain continued to test Goodwin in the final five minutes of the half, first with a low left footed drive that Railway’s ‘keeper got his body behind and then with a sweetly struck volley that Goodwin did well to hold on to.
New Harrogate Railway player James Beaston blocks the way through for Harrogate Town. Picture: Caught Light Photography
Harrogate Town manager Simon Weaver holds the John Smith’s Trophy with Louie Swain. Photo: Caught Light Photography
Along with threatening the Railway goal, Swain had delivered quality crosses into the box throughout the half which were, more often than not, met by the head of Jason Mycoe to clear the danger.
The goal that proved to be the difference between the sides came in the 57th minute as the impressive Swain put the hosts ahead.
The attacker made a darting run to the near post to meet Luke Shiels’ under hit free kick delivery from the right and made enough contact to see the ball sneak in at the near post.
Railway had a chance to pull level just five minutes after going behind, however, Dan Thirkell’s header from Lawrence Hunter’s corner went straight into the arms of Peter Crook.
Goodwin then produced a moment of brilliance for Lee Ashforth’s side to keep the score at 1-0. Seconds after denying Knowles’ first attempt, the towering stopper got down low to his left and made an incredible save; tipping the striker’s second effort onto the bar.
Despite being ahead, Town continued to press and went close again as Joe Colbeck connected with a back post header from a corner only to see his attempt evade several bodies and bounce wide of the post.
A series of substitutes, including nine for Town, somewhat disrupted the flow of the game, as is often the case in pre-season, and chances became few and far between.
With Railway frantically pushing for an equaliser, the visitors were occasionally left exposed at the back and were fortunate not to see their deficit doubled with just five minutes to go.
A through ball had skidded off the wet surface and past the onrushing Goodwin, however, Railway’s defence did enough to force Town’s attacker into hitting the base of the post rather than finding the net.
Railway couldn’t find a way back into the game and Harrogate went on to lift the John Smith’s trophy.
Harrogate Town manager Simon Weaver:
“I think we were sloppy at times and we weren’t at our best by any stretch of the imagination.
“We were a bit flat and we have to be better.
“There some good things and some ugly things.
“However, we have had a good pre-season and we can draw a line under it and move on.
“We know at our best we can get results. Credit to Harrogate Railway, I thought they looked like a useful outfit and worked hard for their manager.”
Harrogate Railway manager Lee Ashforth:
“I thought (my players) they were terrific.
“Tom Goodwin has made a couple of good saves so it could have a couple more goals if we’re honest, but I said when I took the role that I wanted to be harder to beat and we proved that today.
“Their goal came from a free kick and Tom should have saved that so we have done really well.
“I’m impressed with the squad we have together. We didn’t create too many chances, but you would expect that against a side two leagues up.
“We did exceptionally well and I think we’re going to be ok going into the season.”
Harrogate Railway: Goodwin, Parkes (Beaston 67), Hunter (Kidd 78), Mycoe (Brown 81), Low, Stockdill (Clamp 60), Lynn, Thirkell, Fogarty (Morris 86), Dhesi (Outerbridge 53), Bromley.
Harrogate Town: Crook (Atkinson 45), Turner, Shiels (Bloomer 77), Ellis (Worrall 78), McWilliams, Colbeck (Daniels 70), Nyoni (Kerry 72), Thirlwell, Swain (Cadman 77), Knowles (Thewlis 70), Clayton (Johnson 70).
Referee: Joe Goodwin
Attendance: 410