Harrogate Railway striker receives vote of confidence from Mick O’Connell after deadlock at Beverley Town | So Good News

The Starbeck club squandered plenty of chances – and missed a penalty – as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Beverley Town at the weekend, much to the manager’s frustration.

Railway have been in decent form this term and currently sit fourth in the table, but their tally of 21 league goals is comfortably the lowest in NCEL Division One’s top-five.

Saturday’s strike pair of Luke Stewart (4) and Albert Ibrahimi (1) have to date only netted five times between them, but O’Connell is backing them to come good sooner rather than later.

“That’s two points lost,” he reflected. “We had a goal disallowed for offside, which I’m sure should have stood and missed a penalty.

“But watching the game back, I’ve counted 15 good chances that we didn’t take. The lads up front are lacking confidence in and around the box and it’s just not coming to them.

“They only need one to go in from behind and then I’m sure many more goals will come. I’m 100 per cent sure of that and I know it won’t be long now because the signs are positive.

“Luke and Albert have proven they can score at a higher level. Their all-round contribution, their hold-up play, their link-up play, everything has been great, just the goals are missing.

“It’s taken us longer to get them up to speed than I expected, but that game sharpness is coming and it’s now up to us as a coaching staff to get the best out of them.”

Railway had the opportunity to take the lead in the first half against Beverley when they were awarded a penalty after Josh Hardcastle was pulled back inside the away box.

But the usually reliable Dan Thirkell blasted his effort over the bar and the sides went into the interval with the game still goalless.

Beverley were then awarded a penalty of their own early in the second period and Harry Griffin made no mistake, although the hosts secured a share of the spoils just after the hour mark when Oli Norman slid in at the back post to finish. Hardcastle’s inviting cross from the right.