Harrogate Railway's victory at East Hull FC ends long wait for back-to-back league wins

Harrogate Railway’s victory at East Hull on Tuesday evening saw them record back-to-back league wins for the first time in more than two-and-a-half years.
Harrogate Railway have won back-to-back league games for the first time in more than two-and-a-half years. Pictures: Craig DinsdaleHarrogate Railway have won back-to-back league games for the first time in more than two-and-a-half years. Pictures: Craig Dinsdale
Harrogate Railway have won back-to-back league games for the first time in more than two-and-a-half years. Pictures: Craig Dinsdale

Mick O’Connell’s team followed up Saturday’s success over Worsbrough Bridge with a 2-0 triumph against the Riversiders, a result which lifts them up to sixth place in the NCEL Division One standings.

Goals either side of half-time from Joe Crosby and Kieran Greenway proved sufficient to earn the Starbeck club maximum points for the second successive match and means they have now lost just one of their opening six competitive outings this term.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The last time that Railway won consecutive league fixtures was back in January 2018 under Marlon Adams, a statistic that indicates how much the men from Station View have struggled in recent years.

Harrogate Railway manager Mick O'ConnellHarrogate Railway manager Mick O'Connell
Harrogate Railway manager Mick O'Connell

“It’s a poor record, but we’re absolutely delighted to have achieved back-to-back wins” said O’Connell.

“As I keep saying, when I first came into the club everyone was used to losing. We had to change the culture to a winning one .

“It’s taken time, however we are getting there. We’re on the right path at the moment without being anywhere near the finished article yet.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“We’re only five games in to the league season and we’ll just keep working hard."

What made Tuesday's win all the more impressive as far as O'Connell was concerned was the fact that his young team demonstrated real character in difficult circumstances.

“It was horrible at East Hull on Tuesday. It was a horrible night, and the place was the same," he added.

"There was a hostile atmosphere, the changing rooms were flooded and pitch was poor, but credit to the lads for being very professional and coming home with the points.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"We said to them 'let's just get the job done and get out of here'. It wasn't pretty, however the lads have done exactly what we asked.

"Hull were a big, physical, strong side and the Railway of old would have buckled, but we battered them pretty much from start to finish.

"On another day we could easily have won by five or six, though we'll take the points and move our focus on to the next one."

Railway visit Thackley in the second qualifying round of the FA Vase this Saturday, 3pm kick-off.