Harrogate Railway Ladies were away against Altofts today in a battle for second spot in the league, and a great game it was for the spectators with great end to end football played by both teams.
After the performance (or lack off) from Railway in the last match the railway managers were looking for a far better effort from the team and they were not disappointed from the start the team movement, effort in tackles and the general passing was a great improvement. In the midfield Jodie Hodgson and Catherine Coupland dominated play, winning the ball and then feeding out to the wingers and forward players. On 26 minutes though it was Altofts who scored first breaking through the middle and slotting home to make it 1-0.
Railway had their chances but both Nicola Hadley and Emma Lansdall both failed to capitalise on two or three times, with a bit more composure rail could have had at least got to half time on equal terms.
Yet again Railway failed to come out at the start of the second half and within 2 minutes and some terrible individual mistakes at the back, Railway were 2- 0 down. Railway re started and pressed forward, Paige Swales put the ball through for Emma, but it was a touch to heavy and the Altofts keeper got there first, but her kick was soft, and the ball fell to Jodi who played it back towards goal where Nicola turned with the ball and drove it into the left corner, 2-1.
Railway had now got them selves back in the game but straight away Altofts pressed and won a silly free kick just outside the box, the ball was put into the crowded area, Railway cleared but only to allow the ball to be crossed back in it travelled along the ground past 3 rail defenders to allow a soft tap in at the far post,3-1 all this in the first ten minutes of the second half starting!
Railway battled hard and again created chances but unable to put them away, not until Louise Donnely broke through on the 84th minute and was on her way to shoot when the Altofts centre back pulled her shirt that hard it nearly came off, yellow card and a free kick some 24 yards out. Jodi Hodgson stepped up to deliver a pin point kick over the wall and into the far bottom corner, 3-2.
Rail pressed for the equalizer, but time ran out for them and Altofts took all 3 points, Railway ladies are in the league cup next week away at Farsley Celtic a very difficult game indeed.
