Farsley Celtic made it three wins in a row as James Walshaw hit a brace to secure a 2-0 victory against Nantwich Town, writes Thomas Ritchie.
Blustery conditions hampered the ability of both sides to play football, particularly in the first half, before Farsley found their stride in the second half to earn the win.
Nantwich Town created the best opportunities in the opening stages with Graeme McKibbin forced to save from Harry Clayton, who was played in by Joseph Mwasile.
Danny Ellis headed wide from a Luke Parkin free-kick for Farsley, before their best chance of the first half fell to Adam Clayton, as his header from Luke Parkin’s free-kick was cleared off the line.
Farsley clicked into gear at the start of the second half as Luke Parkin continued to be at the centre of Farsley’s attack, with his corner headed just wide by James Walshaw, before he fired an effort inches over the crossbar.
Parkin came close again as he was played in by Adam Porritt, however he was denied by an excellent stop from Reece Quinn.
Almost immediately afterwards Farsley did manage to break the deadlock as Paul Walker helped the ball onto James Walshaw who was on hand to slide home past Quinn.
Farsley continued to create opportunities and should have secured the win with ten minutes remaining, as Ben Atkinson led the Celtic break and crossed the ball to a wide-open Walshaw who sliced wide when it seemed easier to score.
However, Walshaw did double Farsley’s lead minutes later as he was put through on goal by Adam Porritt and calmly lobbed Nantwich shot stopper Quinn.
Luke Parkin once again came agonisingly close to scoring his first goal for the club as his curling free-kick from the left thumped against the crossbar.
Substitute and Assistant Manager Mark Bett then almost added the icing to the cake in stoppage time, with his effort superbly saved by Quinn following Parkin’s cross.
The final chance did fall to Nantwich on the counter attack, however Jordan Davies blasted his wild effort wide when through on goal, with Farsley keeping their first clean sheet since Tuesday, 12th September.
The teams
Farsley Celtic: McKibbin, Porritt, Baldwin, C. Atkinson, Clayton, Ellis ©, Priestley (Harris 41), B. Atkinson, Walshaw (Bett 89), Parkin, Walker. Unused subs: Pollard, Trennery (GK).
Nantwich Town: Quinn, Morgan (Davies 84), Wildin, Bourne, Mullarkey, Hall ©, Mwasile, Hughes, Clayton (Jones 69), Cooke, Forbes. Unused subs: Bell, Rowntree, Griggs.
MOTM: Luke Parkin
Attendance: 260
Evo-Stik Northern Premier Division Results
Altrincham 4-0 Rushall Olympic
Barwell 1-0 Shaw Lane
Buxton 2-1 Marine
Farsley Celtic 2-0 Nantwich Town
Grantham Town 1-2 Stafford Rangers
Hednesford Town 1-0 Witton Albion
Mickleover Sports 2-5 Ashton United
Stalybridge Celtic 4-1 Matlock Town
Stourbridge 1-2 Halesowen Town
Sutton Coldfield Town 0-2 Lancaster City
Warrington Town 2-1 Whitby Town
Workington 1-0 Coalville Town