Harrogate Railway U16s agonisingly went out of the County Cup after a 1-0 defeat against old rivals and Cup favourites Farsley Celtic. Rail produced their best football of the season with a superb display in a fantastic game, with both sides doing their clubs proud. The opening 20 minutes saw Railway mount sustained pressure on the visitors goal forcing numerous corners, with Farsley at times defending frantically, as the ball whipped around the six yard box. Just as the home side were gaining more and more confidence they were rocked back, as a lack of concentration resulted in Celtic's Paddy finding a yard of space on the edge of the box and he slid the ball past Lewis in the Rail goal. It was tough on Rail but they still pressed hard to find an equaliser before the break, but couldn't find their cutting edge in front of goal. The second half was very even with the Railway defence on top form with the new centre back pairing of Ben and Adam soaking up any pressure. Lewis in the home goal was rarely tested, but Rail had their chances at the other end. With ten minutes to go Railway were denied the equaliser their play deserved when a superb header from the edge of the box by Simon was brilliantly saved by Tom in the Celtic goal pushing the ball onto the crossbar and over. From the resulting corner Ally Wilson couldn't hook the ball into the empty net from two yards out as the ball just wouldn't come down for a clean strike at goal. The last five minutes saw the Harrogate side push hard, with Farsley holding out desperately at times. Credit must also go to the referee Ian Metcalf for a superb performance in the middle and to a disappointed Railway side who deserved at least a replay from their superb performance, against an outstanding Farsley Celtic side. | 
