PR: Hall Road vs Harrogate Railway

Hall Road Rangers are back in league action this weekend as they welcome Harrogate Railway Athletic to Haworth Park. There’s been an upturn in Hall Road’s performances and results in recent weeks. They scored nine goals in their last two league games which earned them a maximum six out of six points available. Moreover, Hall Road added three more goals in midweek against NCEL Premier Division outfit Grimsby Borough in the NCEL League Cup despite ultimately losing the tie on penalties.

Harrogate Railway sit in 5th place in the NCEL Division One table having collected 32 points from 17 games. They’ve won ten, drawn two and lost five so far this season. The Rail are in very good form themselves having picked up five wins from their last six league games including a 2-1 victory over Brigg Town.

Under the management of Mick O’Connell, Harrogate Railway have been victorious in four of their eight away games. These wins came at Ollerton Town, Armthorpe Welfare, Teversal FC and Shirebrook Town. On the other hand, the Rail have suffered defeats on the road at Worsbrough Bridge Athletic, North Ferriby FC and Rossington Main.

Joe Crosby and Elliot Holmes are the Rail’s joint top scorers as they both have seven goals in all competitions. Dan Thirkell is another dangerous player as he possesses six goals to his name.

Hall Road joint-manager Leon Sewell is relishing the challenge of facing Harrogate Railway for the first time in his managerial career.

“We welcome Harrogate Railway to Haworth Park and they’ll be another tough team to play against. They narrowly lost 1-2 in the League Cup on Tuesday night to Rossington Main. However, prior results have seen them defeat the likes of Nostell and Brigg hence their league position sitting in 5th place.

This’ll be a new venture for me as I’ve never managed any of my previous sides against Harrogate Railway. I’m very much looking forward to locking horns with Mick O’Connell in the opposite dugout. We’ll be well prepared to keep playing the football that we’ve been doing so recently come 3pm on Saturday” he said.

Report by: Oliver Harsley