Crucial two games could make or break Rail's season
HARROGATE Railway boss Phil Sharpe knows his side's next two fixtures could make or break their season as they to battle out of the UniBond First Division North relegation places.
The Station View outfit welcome fourth-bottom Salford City tomorrow (3pm ko) just three days before Tuesday night’s crucial trip to Ossett Albion (7.45pm ko).
Sharpe is ready for action but only hopes his Jekyll and Hyde team have their winning boots on especially after Monday night’s capitulation at home to Clitheroe.
“We know how important the next two games will be,” said Sharpe.
“They’re crucial. We’ll just have to see as we need to get everyone prepared for it. We just need to close that five point gap, if we do that we’ll be in a much better position.
“Salford is a game we can win, but we’ve got to do it now. Words are cheap.”
Sharpe knows six points from their next two games would reignite Rail’s chances of beating the drop, however they’ll have to defend better than they did on Monday night when they threw away the lead twice to end losing 3-2 at home to Clitheroe.
The night started off well for Sharpe's men when Chris Jenkinson found the back of the net after 31 minutes.
The away side equalised three minutes later through Konstantin Televion but Paul Stansfield restored Rail's lead on the stroke of half-time.
However it all went pear shaped for the Station View outfit in the second period.
First Liam McManus made it 2-2 on 70 minutes and then with the clock ticking Nathan Taylor grabbed the winner for Clitheroe to steal the three points.
“Me and Nige Danby discused it after the game and we thought it was just a lack of concentration,” added Sharpe who felt his side switched off in the final few moments of the match.
“It’s something we need to work on.”
This followed Saturday’s tough trip to Neil Aspin’s FC Halifax Town outfit.
Despite starting the contest brightly the home side exerted their dominance and took the lead through ex-Rail’ boy Richard Marshall on 24 minutes.
Former Harrogate Town man Nicky Gray made it 2-0 on 61 minutes before Mark Peers finished off the contest with the third 11 minutes from time.
ackrill.sport@ypn.co.uk
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Weather for Harrogate
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 10 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
