#Farsley Celtic Ladies

[leicamoments]

Railway on the Right Tracks

Sunday and I headed down to Station View to cover the WRCWFL Premier Division game between table-topping Farsley Celtic and a closely chasing Harrogate Railway.

I was hoping the recent spell of overcast weather would break in time for the game, as the Met Office had promised that the cloud cover would start to have some gaps after two weeks of total horizon-to-horizon greyness.

The cloud was thinner, and it was a little brighter, but we weren’t to be graced by the sight of blue sky just yet. At least it wasn’t raining – got to take the positives!

It was the Sunday closest to Remembrance Day, so shortly before kick-off both teams stood around the centre circle and fell silent to show their respect for all those that gave up so much for our freedoms and safety.

A short blast on the whistle at the end of the minute and the teams faced each other, ready to battle it out for what could be one of the pivotal fixtures of the season. The 90 minutes that followed wouldn’t disappoint.

The opening stages of the game showed just how good both teams were; Farsley Celtic playing some nice passing football, but with the home team settling the better of the two sides and pushing forward.

In around the tenth minute, a corner won by Railway was delivered beautifully into the Celtic penalty area where Caitlyn Atkin met it perfectly and volleyed the ball past Leigh Bamford, the Farsley keeper, and into the roof of the net, 1-0.

Things were about to get better for the home team more or less straight from the restart as Railway won possession and attacked down their right. Krista Shuttleworth got onto the ball and ran in towards the Farsley penalty box; a little look up and a deft lob beat the Celtic stopper who was off her goal line, 2-0.

Harrogate Railway were looking sharp, with decisive direct attacks that were causing the visitors all sorts of problems. However, Farsley Celtic were certainly not out of this game, and were showing signs of their own attacking prowess.

As the half-hour mark approached, Celtic were clawing their way back into the game, starting to win a lot of the 50-50 challenges, attacking down both wings, and creating some good half-chances…but being honest, without seriously troubling Charlotte Donnelly in goal.

That was about to change.

Having created a couple of good chances and wasting them, Farsley attacked down their right and laid a ball across the Railway penalty box, with their skipper Lauren Rigby collecting it and calmly finishing into the bottom left of the goal, 2-1.

With around ten minutes of the first half remaining, the visitors were in the ascendency, causing Railway all sorts of problems, pushing them back into their own half and making the Station View side defend deep. Farsley were to create two further chances to score…one in particular, put wide when in reality they should have hit the back of the net.

The half-time whistle blew, and Harrogate Railway headed in 2-1 up, but probably the more relieved of the two teams to have reached the break and still find themselves ahead.

The first 30 minutes had belonged to the team from Harrogate, and they could have scored more. Farsley weren’t top of the league for nothing, they had come back strongly in the final 15 minutes and could have scored more than the one that they had.

Second half got underway, and it was Harrogate Railway that raced out of the blocks, seemingly determined to reassert their control on the game.

Just shy of the 15-minute mark, Rail won a throw-in on their left. A ball from Caitlyn Atkin to Krista Shuttleworth saw the tricky forward run across the edge of the Celtic penalty box with three defenders trying to close her down. Reaching the right side of the box, Krista created enough space to get her shot away, lobbing the keeper to score her second and give Railway a two-goal cushion, 3-1.

Farsley’s response was to push forward down their right and move the ball across the pitch to the left side. Their winger cut inside, angling for the box, creating a glorious chance to instantly respond but couldn’t hit the target.

Farsley Celtic were now pressing hard to get back into the game, and another chance saw Charlotte race out from her goal line to meet the oncoming striker…clearing the ball with a sliding challenge to put it out for a throw-in to the visitors…a wonderful bit of goalkeeping to command her area.

Farsley were turning the screw a little bit at this stage of the game, but Railway’s defence was handling the threats well and increasingly restricting the visitors to long range shots from outside the box.

With about a quarter of the game remaining, Rail were increasingly counter attacking the visitors as spaces were opening up. In one foray forward, a ball in from the left found Elisa Hodson who stepped across the centre back, and with only the keeper to beat, fired the ball wide.

As the minutes ticked by, Railway were starting to dominate once more and another incisive run down the left saw a high ball sent into the box; Elisa rose to try and head it, stretching with every sinew to get something on it but…it was just a little too high for her to make contact.

Farsley picked the ball up and immediately pushed forward, getting to just outside the Railway penalty area before sending in another shot which was comfortably collected by Charlotte.

With time running out, Elisa was to have another chance, putting her effort over the bar this time…but Railway were playing some good football and looked the more likely of the two teams to score.

Into injury time and Paige Swales played a wonderful ball into Georgia Binns who turned the Farsley Defender and sent an unstoppable shot past the Celtic stopper into the roof of the net to seal the game, 4-1.

There had been a few stoppages in the half, so there was a little bit of injury time to add on, and it was Harrogate who were to capitalise in the final few minutes. 

A pass back from a Farsley defender towards the keeper was under hit and the lively Elisa pounced on the opportunity. Controlling the ball with her first touch, she skipped around the keeper and with her mother Jules watching from the technical area, sent it unerringly over the line from the angle…a wonderful finish and a goal that her performance deserved, 5-1.

The full-time whistle blew shortly after and Railway had won 5-1, collected a vital three points, and underlined why they will be up at the top of the league fighting for promotion in March/April.

The margin of the scoreline was probably a little unfair on the visitors, as Farsley Celtic played some good football, controlled a few periods of play throughout the game, and could have scored more. They achieved promotion last season, and I am certain on the evidence from Sunday that they will be in the reckoning come the end of this one too.

Goals: Caitlyn Atkin, Krista Shuttleworth (2), Georgia Binns, Elisa Hodson. POTM: Lou Donnelly. Referee: Amy Fern.

[leicamoments]

At Home One Last Time

Harrogate Railway Ladies Firsts 2-0 Skipton Ladies WRCWFL Premier Division

Looking at the fixtures at the start of the week, I made plans as to how I could dovetail grassroots coverage in with commercial shoots and personal plans.

This was made easier by the fact that all three Railway Ladies’ teams were scheduled to play at home on Sunday; so, having only covered the reserve team once this season, I decided to head to King James’ School to see if their current good form could continue.

Having not had lunch, I stopped to pick up a sandwich and drink and headed to the school to park and consume them before the game. While I was eating, I thought I’d get a quick update on the various socials for all the local teams playing at 2pm, looking for team sheets and other info being published.

As I was flicking through the Railway Ladies’ Facebook page, I noticed a post from Friday that announced that the reserves’ game had been postponed! The curse on me covering their games this season continues! Whoever put it on me…can you lift it please?

With the team playing on a 3G pitch, I had assumed that the game would be going ahead, as ‘only’ snow and ice would force a postponement – a real schoolboy error on my behalf! Of course, as you know there are other reasons, such as not being able to field a team or a cup/shield fixture clash. 

Anyway, no real harm done as ten minutes later we were pulling into Station View and parking up at the far end of the carpark by the We Buy Any Car office. Grabbing cameras and seat, Connor and I headed into the ground via the old Harrogate Railway Gates near the Food Hut and Media Office.

The visiting team to Station View on what was a glorious Sunday afternoon was Skipton Ladies Firsts – a team sitting eighth in the table, a single point above Forge Way Firsts who currently occupy one of the two relegation spots. With Forge Way playing a Farsley Celtic looking to challenge for the top spot, a win against Railway Firsts for Skipton could potentially secure their top-flight status for the 2025/26 season with one game remaining.

Looking at Railway’s prospects; they could still achieve third in the league but would need to win all four remaining fixtures and rely on Leeds Medics and Ilkley to drop a few points. Ultimately, I don’t think that their final position is all that important this season, what is, are the number of new players coming through from the reserves and bedding into the team as part of their preparations for 2025/26.

Manager Richard Burns, has over the years, brought in a good array of talented players and I see the evolution of the team he has built only getting stronger going forward. 

A few weeks ago, the Station View pitch was like a crème Brûlée, but since then a good spell of warm and dry weather has firmed it up considerably and it is almost perfect to play on now.

Before kick-off, the teams held a minute’s silence in memory of 10-year-old Poppy Atkinson who tragically lost her life this week when a car hit her on a sports pitch. RIP Poppy.

With the game getting underway both teams vied for possession, trying to impose their playing style. This led to some disjointed football in the early stages as neither team could hold on to possession and build momentum.

The first goal of the game was to come early…two minutes in and a move down Railway’s right saw a shot/cross spilled by the Skipton stopper and the ball travel across the face of the goal to the back post.

As the keeper tried to recover, Elisa Hodson was steaming into the six-yard box tracked by the right back. The Railway forward got a foot to the ball and as defender and goalie desperately tried to block it, the ball arced over them and into the net, 1-0.

Of the two, it was Railway that were having the better of the early exchanges, with Elisa Hodson looking dangerous as her direct running and desire to get shots away were causing problems for the Skipton Back line. Caitlyn Atkin was also putting in a shift, adding to the Railway threat up front. 

A similar move to the one that led to the first goal, was to lead to Railway’s second midway through the first half. The ball was played across the penalty box, and it was Elisa who got onto the end of it and calmly stroked the ball into the net to increase the home team’s lead, 2-0.

Skipton were getting forward on a regular basis but were struggling to really test Charlotte Donnelly in the Railway goal. By half time, Railway were two goals to the good and well worth that lead.

As the second half was about to get underway, there seemed to be a disagreement about someone from the Skipton side running the far touchline, which was quite baffling since they had done it in the first half. The situation was resolved when I asked my son to help out.

Minor drama resolved, the game got underway and the pattern of the first half resumed.

It was the home team that were to create the better of the chances in the second 45, with Caitlyn having two shots from around the edge of the box going narrowly wide, and another player missing an almost nailed on goal from around two feet.

With this being just about an end of season fixture, the heat of the afternoon sun and tired legs were having an impact. A lot of the play centred around midfield, and although both sets of players were committed, goalmouth action was at a premium.

In the end, the second half was goalless, and Railway had collected all three points from what was their last home game of the 2024/25 season; their reward was to leapfrog Silsden into fifth place in the league.

Harrogate have three away fixtures remaining, with trips to Morley Town and Sherburn White Rose in the next few weeks, and a critical game against Ilkley Town who are very much in the chase for that top promotion spot – if they win all five of their fixtures, they will be champions.

Skipton’s fate is in their own hands. With one fixture remaining, avoiding defeat against…Ilkley Town…will mean they don’t have to rely on results elsewhere. With a goal difference around 20 better than Forge Way’s, a draw should be enough.

If you wanted another cliffhanger in the fight to avoid relegation, Forge Way’s remaining fixture is scheduled for the week after Skipton’s last league game and is against…you guessed it…Ilkley Town!

It’s the business end of the season and nearly every game has some meaning in the race for promotion or fight against relegation…that’s why we all love football and this time of the year so much!

Goals: Elisa Hodson (2) Referee: Anthony Johnson

One last request; I cover these games currently for free, but would appreciate if the teams and players would donate a small sum if they download or use these images.

Your help means that I can keep covering grassroots sport, travelling to games and providing written match reports, photos, video, and audio interviews.

Please note: Images are not to be used for commercial purposes.

[leicamoments]

Match Reaction: Harrogate Railway Ladies 5-1 Farsley Celtic Women

Our article and photos from the game will be published in the next 24 hours - please keep an eye out for them, links will be on our social media accounts.

All images available to purchase for personal digital download use and in print, get in touch to find out more. Details here.

[leicamoments]

Football in the Sun

I got a message from Richard Burns asking if I was available to cover a couple of games that were happening on Sunday. At that point, I was committed to a preseason game elsewhere, but as things turned out, that game fell through, and I was able to say yes.

I’m glad I did.

Harrogate Railway had arranged a Ladies Day charity event, with the aim to raise money towards Dee Swales’ cancer treatment, which is not available on the NHS.

The event was a double header of football, with Railway’s firsts and reserves in action, helping all the teams taking part with their preseason preparations, and of course raising much needed funds.

The first game up at midday was Railway Reserves against neighbours Knaresborough Town Women, a repeat of their rivalry last season in the West Riding County Women’s Football League Division Four.

Town got off to a flier, scoring quickly and settling into a rhythm within the first ten minutes of the game.

It has been written elsewhere, that on days like these, the actual score isn’t important…and that is completely correct; but an obvious benefit of taking part is that all of the players get a good runout ahead of the start of the new league campaign.

That’s not to say it wasn’t competitive!

The first game came to an end with Knaresborough winning and both teams showcasing a crop of young players who really impressed.

The Railway management team voted Ellis Baxter as Knaresborough Town’s player of the match, and Boro’s coach gave Rail’s stopper, Maria Chatzistamou the player of the match award for an absolutely outstanding performance between the sticks.

Railway’s first team were next up playing Farsley Celtic Women and what an amazing game that was! Over the course of the 90 minutes, the impetus pulsated back and forth between the two sides, with some great interplay.

Chances came and went; the frame of the goals were tested several times as both sets of players showed that they wanted to win.

Railway struck first, with Farsley equalising before half time. The second half continued where the first left off, with Dee unlucky not to score as she struck a beautiful shot past a stranded Farsley keeper from the edge of the box, thundering the ball against the bar and rebounding out.

As the final whistle blew, Railway’s first team had earned a narrow victory with Harrogate’s Paige Swales voted player of the match.

The games were important but there was obviously something more so, and that was the football family coming together to show support and to help one of their own.

At the time of writing, the amount raised is £2,656 but more donations would be welcome. You can find the Justgiving page here…

If there was one footballing thing to take away from Railway’s Ladies Day…with the number of young, very talented footballers on display…the future of local women’s football is very bright!

Well done to everyone who organised and took part to make the day very successful and thank you for inviting me.