Football round-up: Limp Harrogate Town fall short as Railway run goes on

Tamworth’s player/boss Andy Morrell was on the scoresheet as his side cast Harrogate Town to a third straight defeat without scoring.

Paul Green had headed Tamworth ahead just short of the half-hour mark before Morrell struck close to the break

Connor Taylor’s superb diving header wrapped up the points for the home side in the second half, as they leapt to 11th with a fifth straight win.

Out of both the FA Cup and FA Trophy, Simon Weaver’s Harrogate Town side are now ten points away from Chorley in the final play-off spot, having played a game more in 14th place.

Town will have to start looking over their shoulders to the relegation places with only seven points separating them and third bottom Gloucester City and a difficult Christmas period ahead.

Town welcome fierce rivals Guiseley, third, to the CNG Stadium on Boxing Day before travelling to league leaders Barrow on Sunday, December 28.

The reverse match against Guiseley will then take place at Nethermoor Park on New Year’s Day.

In reaction to the club’s worrying form, it is believed Town manager Weaver has signed Goole AFC forward pair Jordan Thewlis and Andy Gascoigne.

Midfielder Gascoigne has scored eight goals in 24 games this season. Striker Thewlis has bagged four in ten games for the mid-table Evo-Stik First Division South team.

Goole manager Curtis Woodhouse, the former boxer, tweeted: “Wish @jordanthewlis92 and @gascoigne91 all the best with their moves to Harrogate town. Two leagues above us. They will do well.”

Meanwhile, Harrogate Railway started their Christmas celebrations early with an eighth successive victory, and a festive goal for substitute Jesus Martin-Farina.

Billy Miller’s side enjoyed a fruitful second-half to down last year’s NCEL Premier champions Brighouse Town 4-1.

Red hot Railway trailed 1-0 into the break with Tom Matthews putting the West Yorkshire side in front.

Adam Baker equalised early in the second half before towering centre-half Matt Heath headed Rail in front.

Nathan Cartman then took his goalscoring tally to 33 for the season from the penalty spot, before Jesus capped the victory with his first goal of the campaign late on.

Railway remain eighth in Evo-Stik First Division North, three points off the play-off zone. They host Spennymoor Town next on Boxing Day.