Harrogate Railway match-winner Mike Morris refuses to take all the credit following Worsbrough Bridge success

Harrogate Railway match-winner Mike Morris piled praise on his manager and team-mates in the wake of Saturday’s 3-2 victory over Worsbrough Bridge Athletic.
Mike Morris celebrates after heading Harrogate Railway into a 3-2 lead against Worsbrough Bridge Athletic. Pictures: Craig DinsdaleMike Morris celebrates after heading Harrogate Railway into a 3-2 lead against Worsbrough Bridge Athletic. Pictures: Craig Dinsdale
Mike Morris celebrates after heading Harrogate Railway into a 3-2 lead against Worsbrough Bridge Athletic. Pictures: Craig Dinsdale

The long-serving centre-half scored twice as the Starbeck club fought back from two down to record their maiden NCEL Division One success of 2020/21.

But, modest Morris insisted that Railway’s first league win since March owed more to the hard work of boss Mick O’Connell in getting his young squad into tip-top condition than his own contribution in front of goal.

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"It's still early days but you can already see that the professionalism of the gaffer [O'Connell] and Walshy [Josh Walsh] has made such a difference to this team," Morris said.

Mike Morris nods home his second goal of the afternoon.Mike Morris nods home his second goal of the afternoon.
Mike Morris nods home his second goal of the afternoon.

"They had us working really hard during pre-season and we must be one of the fittest sides in the division now. That's why we've been able to come back in games this season and get results - like against Worsbrough Bridge on Saturday. We can keep going for 93 minutes.

"If you go back to last season or the one before that, if we'd gone 2-0 down early on in a game like we did at the weekend, we'd have fallen apart and could have ended up losing by seven or eight.

"We've got a very young side, but Mick has brought in some really talented kids, we're very fit and there's a great bond between all the lads. This is definitely one of the strongest Railway teams I've played in."

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Morris' afternoon didn't begin particularly well as he gave away the 12th-minute penalty that saw Worsbrough break the deadlock at a wet Station View.

Veteran striker Steve Bromley hits the deck.Veteran striker Steve Bromley hits the deck.
Veteran striker Steve Bromley hits the deck.

He did however manage to atone for that error by netting two headers either side of a stunning Joe Crosby strike to help the Rail to all three points.

"After I gave away that penalty I was sweating a bit. I could see the defenders who were on the bench warming up on the sidelines and thought I was going to get dragged at half-time," Morris added.

"I 100 per cent felt like I owed the team one, so I was obviously very pleased to get the goal before half-time to get us back in the game at 2-1.

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"The timing of the goal was a big boost and it was potentially the game-changing moment. We said at half-time that whoever gets the next goal will go on and win this match, and that proved to be the case.

"Joe Crosby has scored another absolute worldie to make it 2-2 early in the second half and fortunately I was able to get my head on another set-piece to win it with about 20 minutes to go.

"It's a really good result in the end."

Railway return to NCEL Division One action on Tuesday evening when they visit East Hull, 7.45pm kick-off.