Station View, home of Harrogate Railway Athletic based in North Yorkshire and play their trade in Step 6 of the Non League Pyramid in the Northern Counties East League Division One. Nicknamed the “Rail” as it’s in the name ‘Railway’.
The last game of 2022 for me… But what a year it has been!! The Lionesses brought football home, I saw my beloved Liverpool beat Manchester City in the Community Shield and I saw my beloved Mansfield at Wembley… But I won’t go into any detail about that one…
Christmas may have passed but the weather outside is still frightful… I DO NOT like the look of that rain! I’m sat at home in Shirebrook with my family awaiting any news. A pitch inspection at 11am at Harrogate Railway. It’s this game or I’ll be staying at home to watch Wolves vs Manchester United, what’s it going to be…? 11:02am and Twitter is loaded… GAME ON!! 2022 has got one last chapter and…
For the first time ever, I will have completed a whole League!!! The Northern Counties East League Division One is all done and dusted… For now anyway. But it won’t be the last time they’ll see me that’s for sure! It’s Harrogate Railway vs Brigg Town in a tricky play-off/promotion battle, off we go!
Onto the M1, onto the A1 and into the ground with just over an hour to go before kick off, into the clubhouse it is! Ash is here! I knew I would see a familiar face here today! Marcus Rashford scores and Man United win… Onto the proper game today now. £5 to get in here! Special!
A real pleasure to meet Mick here today who is the club chairman who has spotted me taking photos of the ground. A quick bit of history on this club as well. His Grandad was the founder back in 1935 when he bought this land that they play on today! The Railwaymen that played back then also had to donate a small amount from their wages to pay for the ground! How’s that for history!? He’s also bought me a cup of tea! What a man! I think I’m going to enjoy today!
Out come the teams and I say that for the final time in 2022… But before the game starts, we remember the original GOAT, the man who won the World Cup 3 times and forced an incredible save from our very own Gordon Banks, Pele! This minute of applause is for you! What a player he was! And now for one last time, let’s see this year out in style lads! COME ON!
Kick Off! It’s a feisty start to the game here! The pitch has held out very well and the players certainly know as there are some tough tackles going in and the Referee certainly has his work cut out for him so far! I would not like to be reffing this…
25 minutes in and Brigg come forward, number 9 races into the box on the right and he shoots… Keeper saves with his legs!
“Ally ally ally oh! Brigg Town FC! Black & White army!” A bit of noise from the Brigg fans here today on 29 minutes as Harrogate play in a free kick from the right hand side into the box, it’s number 3 with the header… AND IT’S A GOAL!!! He’s found the bottom corner and that has dampened the Brigg fans spirits… The Railway fans loving that one! It’s 1-0!
35th minute and the Brigg keeper receives the ball and he plays it forward… It’s gone straight to Harrogate’s number 7 who drives forward, he gets into the box on the right and he goes for it… Good save! Brigg clear.
2 minutes later and Brigg play down the right, it’s played in, Harrogate get it away but only to number 3 for Brigg just outside the box, he makes space for the shot… He’s hit the bar! It’s up in the air… Number 4 heads it away for Harrogate.
Right on half time and Harrogate have a free kick on the left hand side, it’s crossed in… It’s loose… Brigg get it away and the Referee blows for half time with the score at 1-0.
Second half, 51 minutes gone and Brigg come forward with number 9, he gets into the box on the left and he plays it across low, it’s number 4 for Brigg… He can’t get a shot away and Harrogate clear. What a chance for Brigg!
1 minute later straight up the field and Harrogate have a free kick just outside the box, number 4 steps up… He’s hit the post! So close!
The rain is pouring and the conditions aren’t getting any better… It’s a pitch that we’d all love to play on!
A few fans are going for it now from both sides, it’s an atmosphere battle!
72 minutes on the clock and Harrogate have a corner, in it comes… It’s cleared away at the goalmouth but Harrogate get it back, they get it out right and it’s played across, it’s number 4… WHAT A SAVE! How did that stay out!? Brigg are still in this.
77th minute and Brigg play down the right, number 10 loses it and he’s lunged in there… Harrogate are furious and the players all run in… Tempers are fraying… It’s a Yellow Card for number 10. Lucky?
87 minutes now and it’s still anybody’s game, surely there is another goal in this but it could go either way. Harrogate come forward, number 17 has it on the right, he cuts inside and shoots from the edge of the box… OH HE’S MISSED… We all thought it was in from where we were but it’s agonisingly wide and Mick will have to endure a few more minutes of pressure.
We’re into Stoppage time now, there can’t be much long left now but here come Brigg who play it out left, it’s crossed in… It’s headed away but only to a Brigg man on the edge of the box who will shoot… WHAT A BLOCK BY NUMBER 2!! He threw himself in front of that one… That’s it! The Referee blows for full time and a huge roar from the Harrogate players who have had to dig in for that one and a relieved Mick! What a year it has been!
FT: Harrogate Railway Athletic 1-0 Brigg Town
Ratings
- Atmosphere: 5/10 – A good effort from both sets of fans here today! It’s got a real community spirit here at Harrogate.
- The Ground: 9/10 – Really impressive! The stand behind the far goal makes it for me as it’s very unique and has character. The clubhouse which offers a view that overlooks the ground is also very nice! It’s got everything you need but my only criticism is the slope pitch… Not a fan! Other than that it’s a great ground!
- Expense: 10/10 – £30 fuel, £5 to get in and a bit on food and drink, was it worth it? Yes!
- Overall Experience: 10/10 – The day was made by one of the friendliest chairman I have met at a ground! Treated like a VIP by him today and it was a great competitive game!
34/40