Barnoldswick derailed in County Cup (From Craven Herald)

Barnoldswick denied penalty as they are derailed in West Riding County Cup

4:00pm Thursday 1st November 2012 in Sport By Pete Naylor

Harrogate Railway 4 Barnoldswick Town 3

Town bowed out of the West Riding County Cup feeling hard done by after having late appeals for a penalty rejected.

They felt that substitute Paul Fildes was pushed over in the area but the referee and the linesman – who had a perfect view – waved play on.

The incident came in the 78th minute as Town tried to complete another amazing comeback on Tuesday night.

They had hit back from 4-1 down and were threatening an equaliser at the time.

Once again Town conceeded an early goal. After some bright early moments they were caught out by a quick break in the eighth minute which resulted in the unmarked Alex Hallam heading in at the far post.

Town responded almost immediately with Mark Threlfall heading just wide of Weston Marau’s right hand post.

New signing Danny Boyle also went close when Threlfall and Liam Garbutt combined to create an opening for him.

Boyle raced into the penalty area and cut past three players before shooting inches wide of the far post.

At the other end Billy Priestley had to make a last-ditch tackle on Sam Akeroyd to stop him extending the Harrogate lead.

Threlfall’s cross forced Simon Wood to clear for a corner which resulted in Lewis Jordan shooting against the legs of Marau.

Town’s pressure paid off just before the break. Harry Thompson played a great pass over the Harrogate defence to Threlfall, who slid the ball past Marau.

Five minutes into the second half a poor defensive clearance saw the ball fall to Railway’s David Ward who made no mistake.

Town should have equalised five minutes later but the unmarked Garbutt put his shot wide after good work by Boyle.

It proved to be a costly miss as Nathan Cartman capitalised on two moments of defensive uncertainty to score twice in two minutes for Railway.

Despite finding themselves 4-1 down, Town didn’t throw in the towel.

Threlfall was played through the Harrogate defence in the 68th minute, and made no mistake shooting across Marau into the far corner.

Town immediately replaced Lewis Jordan and Carl Ellerton with Paul Fildes and Liam Blades.

Four minutes later Threlfall shot against a Harrogate post from a corner, with the ball rebounding across the goal mouth where Boyle hit it home to top set up an interesting last 17 minutes.

Town then replaced the lively Boyle with Stewart Airdrie after 76 minutes.

Two minutes later and Town were denied what they though was a clear-cut penalty and with it went their hopes.