Wakefield FC and Farsley AFC battled it out in torrential rain
Promotion-contenders Farsley AFC missed two penalties, but still managed to find three second half goals to beat Wakefield FC at Belle Vue and go joint top of the Evo Stik Division One North.
Paddy Miller, Aiden Savory and Adam Priestley goals completed a victory that looked far from certain at half-time in a match played in torrential rain.
Savory and Matt Dempsey also spurned the chance to score from 12 yards – bizarrely the third time this season that Farsley have missed two penalties in a match.
Wakefield will count themselves as unlucky having created some great opportunities at 0-0.
However, Paul Lines’ men failed to score and Farsley came strong and were well in control at the death.
Farsley boss Neil Parsley, whose side extended their unbeaten run to 14 games, told Sports Performer: “In the end it was a deserved win.
“Wakey made it difficult for us and it was a bumpy ride. They had some good chances and Rob Bordman missed two great chances and it is not like him to miss.
“But, we took advantage of it and we capitalised on it. For the last quarter of an hour of the first half I felt we got on top and I thought we started the second half well.
“We then got the goal at the right time. It was more than comfortable at the end. Sim (Bambrook) came on and hit the bar and (Neil) Bennett then made another good save.”
Giving his verdict on going joint top, Parsley added: “I think there will be a lot of games off and tonight puts pressure on others. We have won our game and in the context of it, there looks to be a bit of a breakaway from the top five.”
Wakefield defender Jason Mycoe, pictured here tackling Aiden Savory, should have been sent off for denying a goal-scoring opportunity
Farsley were given a few scares in a first half that struggling Wakefield began brightly in. Inside the opening four minutes, Joe Turfrey had put through and he somehow missed when the goal was gaping as Farsley goalkeeper Tom Morgan raced out.
Wakefield caused further problems and their leading goal-scorer Bordman was at the centre of their next major chance. The striker teased the Farsley defence and had a good angle to shoot from. However, he tried the audacious lob into the top corner from 18 yards which Morgan was able to palm past the post.
As the half-hour mark passed, Farsley upped the ante and were awarded a penalty. Jason Mycoe, who had a terrible two minutes, needlessly pushed Savory in the back and referee Tony Murphy pointed to the spot. Unfortunately for Farsley, Wakefield goalkeeper Neil Bennett dived to his right and was able to steer Dempsey’s attempt away from danger.
Within 60 seconds Farsley were back terrorising the Wakefield defence and Savory broke away. The former Bradford (Park Avenue) was away and lining himself up for a possible goal until Mycoe dragged him to the floor just outside the penalty area.
The ex-Tadcaster Albion and Leeds United youngster should have been sent off for denying a goal-scoring opportunity – referee Murphy’s angle of the situation meant Mycoe escaped with a yellow card.
Farsley couldn’t find a way past Bennett in the opening 45 minutes, Parsley’s men found their scoring boots on the hour. O’Brien’s corner was poorly defended by Wakefield and Miller rose the highest in the six-yard-box and nodded the ball into the right stanchion.
Wakefield boss Paul Lines said his side gave a good account of themselves in the 3-0 defeat to Farsley AFC
Wakefield heads dropped and Farsley took full advantage. Aaron Hardy, a constant menace down the right wing, was provider for goal number two. His pass allowed Savory to finish coolly with a low finish – his 17th of a glorious campaign for the striker.
A further penalty miss followed with Savory hitting the post, but that didn’t affect Farsley. Substitute Simeon Bambrook added more bite into Farsley’s attack and the legendary Non-League striker hit the crossbar with a powerful strike in a superb 12 minute cameo.
Bambrook, who famously scored the penalty to take Farsley into the Conference in 2007, then blasted a trademark pile-driver at Bennett which the former Ossett Albion stopper dropped with five minutes remaining. Priestley was on hand to crown a vital victory with a straightforward tap-in.
The result didn’t reflect Wakefield’s first half performance and Wakefield chief Lines added: “We gave a good account of ourselves.
“In the first half especially, we had a couple of missed chances which on another day may have gone in. Rob Bordman had a couple and Joe Turfrey put one past the post. I thought Rob had scored his chance when Tom Morgan palmed it past the post.
“Before the header from the set-piece we were still in the game, but when you go a goal down you’re chasing the game. For the next ten minutes, Farsley had more of the play and the chances and more of the ball.
“When they went two up we really were chasing the game and I went three at the back.
“It was a difficult game all round for the players because of the weather. Most of the football was played on the flanks.
“There are a lot of positives to take from the game. I thought all the players did really well. Farsley are a decent side, they are are going to be up there in the play-offs and we gave a good account of themselves.”
Wakefield FC: Bennett, Durham (Douglas 75), Hitchings, Hayton (Hamilton 75), Donoghue, Mycoe, Turner, D Bordman (captain), R Bordman, Turfrey (Wilkinson 56), Marsden. Subs unused: Morris, Blakey.
Farsley AFC: Morgan, Hardy, Serrant, Grant (Hull 66), Dempsey, Miller, O’Brien (captain), Young, Ellington (Priestley 66), Savory (Bambrook 78), James. Subs unused: Taylor, Owen.
Referee: Tony Murphy
Attendance: 124
Man of the match: Aaron Hardy (Farsley AFC)
Match Photos are HERE