Farsley Celtic were stunned by bottom of the table Sutton Coldfield Town at a cold and bitter Throstle Nest, as they were defeated 1-0, writes Thomas Ritchie.
The only goal of the game came on two minutes, with Farsley lacking a creative spark to break down a resolute and well-organised Sutton defence.
It was Gurjit Singh who gave the visitors the crucial early lead, the ball dropping kindly to him on the edge of the box and he fired home on the half-volley.
Ryan Watson then had a couple of half chances for Farsley but failed to hit the target, yet it was Sutton who almost doubled their advantage when Singh crossed to Lee Smith who had his header superbly saved by Kyle Trenerry.
Danny O’Callaghan was the next to go close for Sutton, as he raced through on goal despite appearing to be offside, however he was denied by Trenerry who quickly raced off his line to close the angle and make the stop.
Farsley then had a fantastic chance to equalise at the start of the second half, as Adam Priestley made a bursting run down the right and his cross found its way through to Ben Atkinson, with his shot travelling inches wide of the upright.
Matt Waters then came close for the Royals twice, his first effort being tipped round the upright by Trenerry, before he then turned Lee Smith’s cross wide at the far post when it seemed easier to score.
Farsley began searching for an all-important equaliser, with Lewis Turner having his header cleared off the line before Ryan Watson’s effort from 25 yards out clipped the top of the crossbar.
Tyler Lyttle struck the post for Sutton with an over-hit cross as he almost wrapped up the points, before Farsley countered and Adam Priestley was denied one-on-one by Nick Draper who made a crucial save.
Priestley had another chance just a minute later, as he was picked out by Paul Walker but failed to keep his shot down with Draper doing well to narrow the angle, and Sutton were able to hang on for their first three points since September.
Farsley Celtic: Trenerry, L. Turner, Baldwin, C. Atkinson, Ellis ©, (Walker 46), Pollard, B. Atkinson (Porritt 84), Watson, Cartman, Parkin, Priestley. Unused subs: Harris, Bett, McKibbin.
Sutton Coldfield Town: Draper, Lyttle, Martin, Smith, Townsend ©, Baker, Waters (Howarth 75), Webb, O’Callaghan, Birch, Singh (Lovett 90+4). Unused subs: Kelly, Howell.
MOTM: Gurjit Singh
Attendance: 217
