Harrogate Railway strike late to sink Club Thorne Colliery, while Tadcaster Albion lose again

Harry Croft struck late on as Harrogate Railway twice came from behind to beat Club Thorne Colliery 3-2 at Station View.

The Starbeck had come out on top in just one of their previous six matches in all competition, but showed good character to fightback and take all three points on Saturday afternoon.

They had to do it the hard way, however, having fallen behind with only nine minutes on the clock.

Railway surrendered possession in midfield and the ball was played forward for Marc Newsham to slot into the corner of Will Mitchell’s net.

But, the hosts got themselves back on terms after a quarter of an hour when James Hampson followed up to score at the far post after Ben Parkes’ free-kick had forced a good save out of visiting custodian Lewis Hill.

Newsham restored the Thorne lead with a tap-in shortly before half-time having been left unmarked inside the box as the Rail failed to properly defend a set-piece delivery.

Parkes and Hampson would however combine once more to draw the home side level for a second time as the former’s dangerous ball in was finished on the slide by the latter.

With the game in the balance, Railway were handed a numerical advantage in the 81st minute when Ethan Harrison was sent off following a high challenge on Parkes.

And they took full advantage three minutes from the end of the regulation 90 as substitute Croft nodded in what proved to be the winner.

Victory lifts the Rail up to 14th position in the NCEL Division One standings ahead of this Saturday’s trip trip to LIV FC (3pm).

Elsewhere, struggling Tadcaster Albion slumped to a fourth straight NCEL Premier Division defeat when they visited top-of-the-table Dearne & District.

Jamie Austin’s 65th-minute opener was added to in stoppage time by Jordan Kershaw, with that loss leaving the Brewers second from bottom of the pile and stuck in the drop zone.

But, Albion boss Ryan Qualter saw enough in his players’ performance to suggest that they will be able to get themselves out of their current predicament.

“Ultimately, I don’t want to lose games of football, but I am very proud of the effort that the boys have put in against a very good side,” he said.

“We stood up to the test, and bar two or three lapses in concentration we would have had a point, and I think we would have deserved it.

“We played some good stuff at times, but you’ve got to score when you’re on top and we just don’t seem to be able to do that at the moment.

“I’m gutted for the lads that they haven’t got any reward for all of their hard work, but it gives us real hope because if we can keep performing like that, then I think we should be okay.

“We have now just got to replicate this kind of performance and that desire.”

Albion return to league action this Saturday when they host Parkgate, the team currently one place above them in the table (3pm).