More frustration for Railway boss after Bottesford loss

Harrogate Railway boss Marlon Adams was once again left to reflect on what might have been as his side's defensive frailties saw them leave Bottesford Town empty-handed.
Harrogate Railway lost out 3-2 at Bottesford Town on Saturday. Picture: Rob BarracloughHarrogate Railway lost out 3-2 at Bottesford Town on Saturday. Picture: Rob Barraclough
Harrogate Railway lost out 3-2 at Bottesford Town on Saturday. Picture: Rob Barraclough

The Starbeck club remain in a real battle to retain their NCEL Premier Division status after tasting defeat for a third successive game.

Having conceded in the last minute to lose to Hall Road Rangers, then going down 5-1 at AFC Mansfield despite being a goal to the good, Railway twice led at Bottesford on Saturday before an 86th-minute header condemned them to a 3-2 reverse.

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“We just can’t see a game out or play for 90 minutes, it would seem,” boss Adams reflected.

“This performance was typical of us. We played really well for a good part of the match, but we just concede too many goals.

“We had a number of clear-cut chances to put the game out of sight but we didn’t take them and in the end Bottesford came back at us and we couldn’t deal with it.

“I thought we deserved the three points and I would’ve taken a draw away from home at 2-2, but then to concede a third late on was a real blow. I was gutted.”

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Luke Stewart handed Railway an early lead, finishing nicely after being teed up by Jamie Bairstow with just seven minutes on the clock.

Parity was restored soon afterwards when a free-kick was lifted into the visitors box and Bradley Hockin netted for 1-1.

Stewart’s second of the game arrived in the 36th minute after Lincoln Adam’s headed down a hanging cross into the penalty area for his teammate to acrobatically ram home from close range.

The Railwaymen had chances to extend their lead. while at the other end Bottesford missed a penalty, but the score remained at 2-1 heading into the closing stages.

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With the hosts pushing hard for a second equaliser, one eventually arrived in the 76th minute as Stephen McCarron struck.

Bottesford continued to threaten and grabbed a decisive third goal with just four minutes of normal time remaining, substitute Ben Johnson glancing home a header.

Saturday’s result leaves the men from Station View 19th in the league standings, five points above the relegation zone following Hall Road Rangers’ 12-point deduction, but the Hull outfit now hold three games in hand.