Ladies Football: Harrogate Railway hit seven to end league-winning season in style

Railway have earned promotion into the North East Regional Womens League for next season after storming to the league title by four points.

Simon Mercer’s team still harbour hopes of a dream double, when they play Tingley Reserves in the League Cup final at Ossett Town on May 4 (2pm).

Saturday’s victory over Keighley Oaks came in horrendous wet conditions, but Mercer said the champions played “some of their best football” to pull Keighley apart.

Railway wanted to finish the campaign with a statement and after only five minutes Louise Donnelly and Emma Elliot had put two on the score board, with both goals set up by skipper Ali Purvis.

Rachel McDonald drove in Railway’s third instantly after Kat Purvis headed the captain’s corner onto the bar.

The game was settled before half-time when Chloe Elphick struck home Emma Lansdall’s cross.

Nicola Hadley’s 22-yard strike made it five after the break before the hosts pulled two goals back.

But any impetus Keighley had soon disappeared when Louise Donnelly and Emma Elliot took Rail’s scoring to seven.

Keighley got one more in the last minute but it not enough to spoil Railway’s party and jubilations.

Meanwhile, Wetherby Athletic Ladies were unable to add a cup run to their championship winning year after exiting the Southern League Cup 3-1 at Westella Hanson.