A youthful Lions side was dumped out of the West Riding County Cup at the first round stage with a 5-1 defeat in North Yorkshire, writes Adam Bridson.
The side, managed by Dave Currie, included three first teamers with Connor Ferguson, Amir Berchil and Joao Silva all starting the game.
The tie eventually ran away from the Lions and they finished the game with 10 men after Freddie Westfall was sent off midway through the second half.
Harrogate came out of the traps quickly and forced Harry Churnin-Ritchie into an early save when Harris Eggleston’s looping cross was heading in but for a good stop from the young keeper.
Eggleston, who was key to a lot of the hosts early attacking play, captialised on a mistake and got through one on one with Churnin-Ritchie but once again the stopper came out on top with a good save before Railway’s number seven stabbed the rebound wide.
With just eight minutes on the clock Harrogate Railway broke the deadlock, Elliot Holmes’ free kick found Alex Ingham in space and the striker slotted into the net.
The hosts continued to pile on the pressure as the Lions had failed to settle into the match, Dom Creamer went close with a header and Ingham controlled the ball well with his chest but shot straight at Churnin-Ritchie.
The Rail had another opportunity through Ben Parkes who turned with the ball in the box but shot over with a volley.
The lively Ingham was looking to double his tally when he was played in behind the Lions backline, the striker’s shot drifted just wide after good pressure from Churnin-Ritchie.
The Lions’ first real attack came 17 minutes in when Silva cut in from the left hand side and curled a shot goalwards which was well saved by Will Mitchell in the home goal.
Another chance followed four minutes later when a quickly taken free by Zac Rushworth picked out Berchil but the forward couldn’t keep his shot down and it flew over from a narrow angle.
One minute later and Railway doubled their lead, Eggleston nipped in in front of Churnin-Ritchie and powered the ball into the net.
Then immediately the Lions ran up the other end and halved the deficit, Silva’s low cross made its way to Berchil at the back post and he slid the ball in.
With 26 minutes on the clock, there was no indication the frantic start to the match was stopping as Ibbi Origbaajo picked out Lucas Alexander in the box but his shot rolled just wide as he looked for an equaliser.
Then a minute later Currie’s side should have been on level terms, Alexander picked out Silva with a perfect pass but he blasted wide with only Mitchell to beat from close range.
A double change at the break saw Berchil and Connor Ferguson depart and academy players Bailey Thompson and Ronny Skelton were introduced in their place.
Just four minutes in and the Lions could have been level, Derren Boyle showed great balance and control to bring the ball down with his chest but his shot was weak and easily saved by Mitchell.
10 minutes into the second half and Origbaajo nearly scored direct from a corner, the set piece looked to be heading straight in but Mitchell was alert to the danger and punched it clear.
A minute later Westfall was found at the back post but the defender’s shot from a narrow angle flashed across the face of goal.
With an hour gone the hosts got their third goal in controversial circumstances, Creamer’s shot was too hot to handle for Churnin-Ritchie and it looped to Ingham at the back post who couldn’t miss from close range. Churnin-Ritchie in the visiting goal and his defender’s were not happy with the strike though, they appealed strongly for offside but it fell on deaf ears and the goal stood.
Then with 65 minutes gone the contest was effectively over, Churnin-Ritchie had dashed well out of his area to make a goal saving challenge and the ball fell to Railway captain Sam Drake who hit a perfect looping shot from the halfway line into the net. It was simply sublime from the hosts number four.
The night went from bad to worse for the Lions when, three minutes later, Westfall saw red for a challenge on Creamer.
With 10 minutes left the home side added gloss to their win when Alex Burton stabbed the ball in from close range after getting on the end of Eggleston’s cross.
It proved to be the last action of a frantic match as the Lions exited the West Riding County Cup at the first time of asking for the second successive season.
The Lions return to league action on Saturday with a home game against Hednesford Town which kicks off at 3pm.
Harrogate Railway 5-1 Guiseley | Tuesday 28th October 2025 | Dagger Diving Stadium
Attendance: 177
Team: 1. Harry Churnin-Ritchie, 2. Mohamed Mfondi, 3. Connor Ferguson (46′ Thompson), 4. Ibbie Origbaajo, 5. Freddie Westfall (C), 6. Lawrence Ford, 7. Lucas Alexander (78′ Spellman), 8. Derren Boyle, 9. Zac Rushworth, 10. Joao Silva (70′ Fotherby) and 11. Amir Berchil (46′ Skelton).
Subs: 12. Bailey Thompson, 13. Daniel Bray, 14. Dan Fotherby, 15. Ronny Skelton and 16. Lewis Spellman.
