Subscribe to trusted local news
If you are accessing this story via Facebook but you are a subscriber then you will be unable to access the story. Facebook wants you to stay and read in the app and your login details are not shared with Facebook. If you experience problems with accessing the news but have subscribed, please contact subscriptions@thestrayferret.co.uk. In a time of both misinformation and too much information, quality journalism is more crucial than ever. By subscribing, you can help us get the story right.
- Subscription costs less than £1 a week with an annual plan.
Already a subscriber? Log in here.
17
Apr
Wakefield AFC vs Harrogate Railway: New system could be key to Rail’s promotion dreams
Harrogate Railway co-manager Rob Youhill has credited a new system for his side’s recent upturn in form as they prepare for a play-off semi-final tomorrow (April 18).
The Rail will travel to West Yorkshire to face third-placed Wakefield AFC in a promotion play-off. It is Railway’s first time back in the play-offs since 2023, and Youhill’s first as a manager of the club.
But he isn’t nervous. Speaking to the Stray Ferret today (April 17), Youhill said:
We’re as ready as we can be. Me and Fraz [Fraser Lancaster], have both been pretty calm. Eleven months of hard work have gone into this, and the lads all know what they’re doing.
We’ve had a bit of a rough new year. But we didn’t want to limp into the play-offs, we wanted to fly into them – and I feel like we’ve done that in the last five games.
Harrogate Railway lost seven games and drew two after the new year. Before Christmas, they had lost just one league game.
But the Station View side has picked up form just at the right time, winning their last five games before the playoffs begin. They have kept clean sheets in four of them.
Youhill put this down to a change of system.
He admitted that they had been trying to put “square pegs in round holes” to replace departed winger Dom Creamer, when all that was needed was a system that met the needs of the players he already had.
While still expecting a high-intensity, front-foot style of football, the new system focuses on his side’s midfield depth, who Youhill described as “dogs”.
'All I'm thinking about is winning'
Harrogate Railway have played three times in the league and cup this season, drawing all three. The Rail progressed on penalties in the cup.
Youhill explained what the difference could be in what could be another hard-fought battle:
I think it will probably come down to an individual spark of brilliance in what will probably be another tight game. I would hope it would be that, rather than a mistake from a player or a referee, which is realistic at the level we’re at.
I want to think it will be a collective team effort. We’ve got a great bench and have been working on the game plan for weeks by rotating and giving everyone time. I’ve got 18 players all flying.
Before the new year, Harrogate looked like they could challenge for the title, but their poor form in 2026 quickly put a stop to that.
So, should they not win promotion, would it be a failure for Harrogate Railway?
Youhill wasn’t prepared to contemplate it:
It’s difficult to answer because all I’m thinking about is winning. I’ve got all my eggs in one basket. I’ve even been having dreams about it, feeling euphoric. We’ll see how we get on and I’ll reflect on it then.
Harrogate Railway will face Wakefield AFC at 3pm tomorrow (April 18).
0