Harrogate Railway Athletic have a lovely new club bar and changing room facility, paid for by selling swathes of their ground to the developer currently building new apartments over looking what will be a new sports complex…
…Unfortunately the Railways didn't spend any money on their extra-sloping pitch. If crampons were on sale at the club shop, Salford's wingers and full backs would have been queuing up to buy them. Standing behind the goal, as one Salford fan remarked, is akin to going on a walk around the Crazy Cottage at the local fairground.
Today, however, the Railways had their crazy crossbars to thank more than the pitch. Twice Salford City rattled the things. Early in the first period with the score 0-0 Jamie Rother unleashed a wicked 35 yard volley which cannoned off the bar. And, late on in the game, with Salford City chasing a two goal deficit, the Railway's keeper manager to claw a header onto the bar and out for a corner.
In between Harrogate had built up a two goal lead within the first 15 minutes of the second half – a header from a cross and a shot from the edge of the area.
When Jameel Ible got sent off for a second yellow card the Ammies looked doomed. But it seemed to stir the team and the ten men roared forward, the Railways keeper desperately slide kicking a deflected shot that was about to cross the line, and then saving with his knees from a Rob Kinsella header.
The draw wasn't to be and Harrogate had their first home league win of the season. Incredible considering the advantage their crazy cottage pitch gives them. But today it was the crazy crossbars that derailed Salford.
Next home game: Salford City v Ossett Town Sat 17th November 3pm £7/£3
Photos by Andrew Goudie
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