Blue Star V Harrogate Railway Athletic

A bright and lively start was made by both teams on what turned out to be a sunny North-East afternoon. However, the game suddenly turned on Blue Star as they conceded a goal on the 5 minute mark by a shot from Ben Jones. Unfortunately Lowson should have held onto it, instead the ball slipped through. 0-1.

Blue Star seemed a little shaken as just 5 minutes later Harrogate captain Chris Rossendale shot but he should have done much better, his shot went way wide.

At 11 minutes Blue Star won a free kick on the edge of the area and their luck began to change as the strong left foot of Dean Gordon blasted the ball straight into the back of the goal. 1-1.

A few moments later it looked like Blue Star were going to take the lead but McTiernan was very unlucky as his shot looped agonisingly inches over the bar. Then, all the action was down the other end as Lowson was forced into making a good save following a Harrogate corner.

This next spell saw Blue Star under a bit of pressure but Chris Carr deal with it very well and turned the ball away to safety on more than one occasion. This prompted Blue Star into a more attacking position, on 32 minutes after good work by Hooks, we had another shot on goal by Bell but unfortunately it didn’t make the score sheet. This was followed by Sheeran reacting quickly to create a 1-on-1 but only managed to hit the ball into Harrogate’s waiting keeper.

However, on 39 minutes Blue Star goal got a well deserved goal, Chris Emms struck the ball fabulously, leaving the keeper with no chance of saving. But he was immediately substituted for Mark McLeod, due to injury (Harrogate R.A also made a substitution; Scott Ryan off and Byron Littlefair on).

Just before half time Bell made a surging run but he could only manage a corner. Half time 2-1.

Following half time Harrogate came out the stronger team. 15 minutes later, Blue Star captain Mark Birch fouled in his own area conceding a penalty, however Dan Lowson stood up strong and managed to pull off a fine save, palming the ball around the post. Blue Star easily managed to clear the ball to safety following the corner.

Two minutes later following great work by Bell, McTiernan had a chance to capitalise on the score board however, he could only manage to shoot wide, making this the third gilt edge chance missed.

Harrogate punished Blue Star’s missed goal chances through Carl Fox putting the ball in the back of the net on the 65 minute mark. 2-2. This goal spurred Harrogate on and the next spell was owned by them. But great defensive work especially by Dean Gordon kept Harrogate at bay.

Blue Star had a last ditch attempt to win the game but Sheeran headed over the bar. It seemed it was just not meant to be.

(On 83 minutes both teams made substitutions; Michael Tait on for Jamie McGlen and for Harrogate Matthew James came on for Carl Fox).