Neil Parsley pleased with Farsley AFC display in 0-0 draw with Bamber Bridge

Adam Priestley who wasted a few glorious chances

Farsley AFC 0-0 Bamber Bridge

By James Grayson (Twitter: @jamesAgrayson)

Farsley AFC chief Neil Parsley believes the goal-less draw with Bamber Bridge shows that his side are “moving in the right direction”.
Both teams had plenty to score in an entertaining game that became the first 0-0 stalemate involving Farsley at Throstle Nest since January 2008 when John Deacey’s team held Stevenage Borough in a Conference Premier encounter, live on the Setanta Sports TV cameras.
Peter Taylor, who once managed England for one game, managed Stevenage that day and future Leeds United frontman Steve Morison was leading the line for him.
Deacey left Farsley later that year and the current Bradford Park Avenue manager was actually there to watch the Evo Stik Division One North clash last night.
But, on the Bamber game, Parsley revealed his satisfaction with the performance.
“It got a bit nervy towards the end, but having said that, if we had taken our chances early on, the game would have been put to bed,” he said.
“Late on we let the kid have a header at the far stick and then Morgs (Tom Morgan) made a great save down at his near post. A defensive mix-up in the last minute and with someone of Andy Bell’s prowess you would have he would have finished that.
“But, I thought we played some great stuff tonight. I said to the players ‘yes I am disappointed not to get the three points, it is not the end of the world. But I honestly think someone is going to get a hiding’.
“We’re sixth or seventh, but we’ve got a consistency and we’re hard to beat. It would be nice to turn some of the draws into wins and hopefully we can get on a winning run.
“But, I’m pleased with the clean sheet tonight as we have been conceding too many goals. We have being needing to score three goals to win a game. There were signs against Goole that we were more solid and I thought circumstances let Northwich off the hook on Saturday.
“It was a clean sheet tonight and I think we have made big steps in moving the right direction.
“The pitch helped tonight and I thought there was some slick passing and movement from us, especially in the first half.”
Farsley, with Avenue player Ross Daly in their midfield, were quick out of the blocks with three glorious chances in the opening 13 minutes.
Striker Adam Priestley wasted two opportunities when he broke clear and then Josh Grant rounded goalkeeper Steven James, but saw his shot cleared off-the-line.
After a bad start Bridge eventually began to create chances of their own. Farsley defender Paddy Miller was called upon to make a couple of important blocks as the first half drew to a close.
A poor back-pass nearly cost Bridge at the start of the second half. The lively Priestley nipped past Matt Mahoney and was able to guide the ball past James. The striker looked to score from just six yards, but Mahoney did enough to force Priestley to place the ball wide from the open goal.
Bamber then enjoyed a good spell of domination and Farsley had Tom Morgan to thank for his save from Lenning Reid after the winger found room down the left-wing.
At the other end, Matt Dempsey made a mess of Simeon Bambrook’s superb corner. When it seemed easier to score, the centre-half blazed the ball wide of the goal from close range.
Grant missed another sitter after latching onto substitute Bambrook’s killer cross with just five minutes to go.
Farsley were then nearly to pay. Fortunately Morgan was in top form and he made a fantastic stop from former Fleetwood Town striker Andy Bell’s header.
Both teams continued to press deep into injury-time and Morgan did enough to put off Bell when the forward exploited a Farsley mistake. Bell lobbed Morgan, but the ball landed on the roof of the net and following a nervy few minutes, the referee Brian McGill, who had an exceptional game, blew for full-time.
Farsley AFC: Morgan, Hardy, Serrant, Daly, Dempsey, Miller, James (Hull 57), Young (captain), Ellington, Priestley (Bambrook 72), Grant. Subs unused: Higginson, Etherington, Thompson.
Bamber Bridge: James, Mahoney, Alexander, Lawlor, Doughty, Kay (captain), Wilkins (Buchan 81), Thompson, Johnstone (Bell 72), Waddecar, Reid (Hastings 89). Sub unused: Maddock.
Referee: Mr. B McGill (Rochdale)
Attendance: 112
Man of the match: Tom Morgan (Farsley AFC)