Harrogate Railway boss takes responsibility for ‘gung-ho’ approach in 6-0 defeat

Harrogate Railway boss Lee Ashforth took the responsibility for his side’s 6-0 thumping at Trafford on Saturday.
Harrogate Railway's Vincent Dhesi, left (Photo: Caught Light Photography)Harrogate Railway's Vincent Dhesi, left (Photo: Caught Light Photography)
Harrogate Railway's Vincent Dhesi, left (Photo: Caught Light Photography)

Following back-to-back wins, Ashforth blamed his decision to continue a “gung-ho” approach against the recently-relegated Manchester side.

Trafford put Railway on the back foot with two goals in the opening 15 minutes, and extended their advantage to three before the interval.

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Ashforth replaced captain Dan Thirkell and attacking midfielder Fatlum Ibrahimi for the second half, but substitutes Greg Kidd and Vincent Dhesi could not help stem the flow of goals and Railway finished with their second 6-0 defeat of the season.

It dropped Railway down to 15th position and took their goal difference to minus nine.

“It was back to earth with a bump,” said Ashforth.

“They came to watch us beat Mossley on the Monday night but we still went with the same team, with only Harry Brown replacing Si Parkes.

“As a management team we probably should have changed it as they got to grips with us pretty quickly.

Railway Roy Fogarty was a second half substitute (Photo: Caught Light Photography)Railway Roy Fogarty was a second half substitute (Photo: Caught Light Photography)
Railway Roy Fogarty was a second half substitute (Photo: Caught Light Photography)
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“Rather than blame the players, it was an error on my part. We went in off the back of two wins and we went a bit gung-ho and underestimated them a little bit.

“The players had an off day but I could have helped them by setting up more defensively. The midfield four got dragged around.”

In the wake of the loss, Ashforth signed talented midfielder Rob Worrall on a month-long loan deal from neighbours Harrogate Town.

Worrall is likely to wear a Railway shirt for the first time at Burscough on Saturday, and will also be considered for Tuesday evening’s visit to Ossett Albion.

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The 17-year-old made his debut for Town at the back end of last season and then signed a one-year contract at the CNG Stadium.

“Simon (Weaver) said he has been outstanding in his training sessions,” added Ashforth.

Ashforth will revert back to a defensive-minded approach against 19th-placed Burscough, who have already beaten third-placed Warrington Town 4-1 this season.

“We are just looking to be hard to beat again,” he said.

“Before Saturday we had conceded three goals in four games. Just because we have had a thumping doesn’t mean we are not defending well.”

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