Rampant Harrogate Railway see off Scarborough

Goal hero Nathan Cartman. Image: Caught Light PhotographyGoal hero Nathan Cartman. Image: Caught Light Photography
Goal hero Nathan Cartman. Image: Caught Light Photography
Hotshot Nathan Cartman took his goal tally to 20 for the season as he inspired Harrogate Railway to a 3-0 Evo-Stik First Division North win over Scarborough Athletic.

Scarborough boss Rudy Funk resigned from his post following the defeat after his side put in an abject display against a dominant Rail’.

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Cartman was at the forefront of Scarborough’s woes and the contracted striker gave another display of precision finishing.

Scarborough had looked the most threatening in the first 15 minutes. Nathan Evans failed to lob young Rail’ keeper Tom Goodwin before the same player was brought down by Harry Coates just outside the area when through on goal. Coates earned a yellow card for the crude trip.

Ben Middleton then headed over and James Bennett curled a free-kick wide, but Railway were growing into the game against their fifth-placed opponents.

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And the hosts went ahead on 25 minutes when Rob Youhill dashed to the right-hand byline and Cartman slotted home a precise finish from a low cross.

Moments later, Cartman’s partner in arms up front Malachi Farquharson could have added a second but he blazed over from six yards, before Dan Thirkell flashed a shot wide on a rare foray forward, again set-up by the ever dangerous Youhill.

Railway continued to exert pressure after the break. They soon led by two.

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Farquharson muscled into space in the box to loop a brilliant header back over Athletic’s keeper Jason White and into the top corner.

The striker almost doubled his tally from a Youhill cross just after his goal but he shot wide.

Streams of attacks followed with Youhill, Cartman and midfield duo Fatlum Ibrahimi and Jason Mycoe particularly influential.

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At the back, Harrogate Town defender Matt Heath’s continued presence gave a solid foundation to build, aided by the confident performance of Goodwin in goal.

The 19-year-old, on dual registration terms with AFC Fylde, made several commanding punches before a superb diving stop denied Ryan Blott from a 25-yard free-kick.

Railway could have had a penalty lTe on when Cartman was clattered by White as he attempted to lift over the advancing stopper, before the league’s topscorers was adjudged offside from another Youhill cross.

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Despite being Station View’s hero of the hour, the diminutive figure did feel the wrath of his teammates on one late occasion. With his final chance to add insult to injury, he twisted and turned out of play instead of laying the ball into the area for four or five teammates.

“Remember it’s a team game,” quipped one.

But the goals continue to flow for both Cartman and Railway.

The forward has hit the back of the net 16 times in Evo-Stik First Division North to promote Railway, the league’s third top goalscorers, up to 12th.

Funk resigned at full-time with his Athletic side fifth in the table, after conceding 7 goals within 72 hours without reply.