Ross Daly is expected to return for Farsley AFC against Wakefield FC
Farsley AFC boss Neil Parsley is under no illusions of how tough the home game with Northwich Victoria will be.
Farsley welcome Northwich to Throstle Nest on the back of extending their unbeaten run to 14 games after the 3-0 win at Wakefield last week.
The result maintained their Evo Stik Division One North play-offs spot ahead of the visit of Northwich who they drew 3-3 with in October – a game that is still the subject of a FA investigation.
Farsley had three players sent off in a mad final ten minutes. Ryan Serrant was sent off for denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity which led to Northwich’s equalising penalty.
The decision later proven to be incorrect as an offside should have been given and the foul was also shown to have taken place outside the box. Simeon Bambrook and Matt Dempsey were dismissed for dissent.
The referee of that encounter is being investigated for a separate incident that happened during the interval outside Farsley’s dressing room.
Parsley though believes the previous match will have no bearing on the latest instalment.
“No it won’t come into mind at all as it wasn’t Northwich’s doing,” he said.
“It will be a tricky test though.
“Northwich are a big club at this level. We’re at home and we’ll be looking to press that advantage.
“I know Lee Ashcroft very well when our West Brom days and he’s a very passionate guy. Jim Gannon has gone in there so they have experience.
“They find themselves in mid-table, but if we’re not on our mettle then they’ll punish us.”
Farsley last reached the Division One North play-offs in 2012 which they sealed in the penultimate game of the season in the 3-1 win at Harrogate Railway.
The route to the top five was also helped by a good run in March.
At this stage of the season in January 2012, Farsley had 48 points. In 2014 Parsley’s men have 61, but the race for the play-offs is still tight like 2012.
On the subject, Parsley added: “I don’t know if we’re in a better position.
“There are some big games to come. There are some good players in the dressing room who have experience and have been successful at other clubs.
“Hopefully that experience will stand them in good stead.”
Midfielder Ross Daly is expected to return for Farsley having missed the win at Wakefield because of work commitments.