Toolstation NCEL Division One
Mick O’Connell says Harrogate Railway are fighting for second place as he reckons runaway leaders Campion are uncatchable.
Campion have only dropped four points all season and are 12 points clear.
“Barring the wheels properly falling off which it won’t, the race is done now,” O’Connell told Non League Yorkshire.
“It is a race for second place and we’re just focussing on the next game.
“Although we can’t have asked for much more from the players, what has hurt us this year is too many draws.
“There have been three-or-four games where we have dominated and not taken chances (in the draws).
“We have battered Retford here and got beat 1-0. We battered them away and drew 2-2.
“We should have been a lot closer to Campion.
“But credit to Campion, credit to Lee (Ashforth), credit to James (Bicknell) because they have done an incredible job.
“You can’t take anything from them. They are very worthy of where they are.
“They have a lot of threats at the top end of the pitch.
“I think if we were within six points then there’s a race on.
“It is normally easier to be sitting second and aiming for someone who is top because the pressure is on who is top.
“I think there’s too much of a gap.
“Campion will break the 100 point barrier this season.”
Railway visit Athersley Rec tomorrow which kicks off a busy February and March.
Railway have 14 games in the next two months and O’Connell says everyone will get a chance to start – including striker Sean Hunter.
“Sean came from Campion and he hadn’t played much football so it has taken a while to get him up to speed,” he said.
“Sean is up to speed now so he’s chopping at the bit to start.
“He will get in the near future and he may even start (tomorrow).
“In February and March, it is Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday-Tuesday so we’ll need to rotate.”