By John Baron
Two late goals from substitute Tom Greaves saw FC Farsley cap a remarkable comeback and secure an unlikely 4-3 win in a thriller at high-flying Shelley.
On a rain-soaked gloomy afternoon in Huddersfield, Farsley found themselves both 2-0 and 3-1 down, only for three goals in the final ten minutes to turn the match on its head.
The previously unbeaten game side raced to a 2-0 first half lead inside 25 minutes, and could have put the game beyond Farsley with a third when they were awarded a penalty on 32 minutes following Storer’s rash challenge.
The resulting spot kick crashed off the bar and Farsley cleared the danger. Few in the crowd realised how crucial the miss would turn out to be as the home side had dominated up to that point.
Farsley were back in it just before half time, Tyler Polwarth hitting his third goal of the season following a goalmouth scramble.
The visitors improved in the second half. On 59 minutes a fingertip save from the Shelley goalkeeper prevented Brogan equalising.
A Farsley corner then rattled the crossbar, with some Farsley players convinced it had crossed the line. Shelley cleared the danger and broke quickly. A two-on-one saw the forward roll the ball into the back of the net. 3-1 Shelley, and it looked an uphill battle for Farsley.
But the visitors weren’t done and were rewarded with a second goal with substitute Greaves’ fine drive from the edge of the box. Two minutes later Farsley were indebted to a fine point-blank stop by keeper Metcalfe to keep them in the game at 3-2.
In the 85th minute Farsley equalised with a quality finish. Striker Lewis Hanse was played through one on one. The number nine then produced a sublime chip of the onrushing keeper to make it 3-3.
Incredibly, there was more drama to come.
With two minutes to go Greaves prodded home a ball played across the box to send the Farsley players, staff and fans into delirium.
There was a still time for a tense finish as Shelley pressed in stoppage time, but the visitors held on to record the club’s first-ever away win. Few wins will be secured in such a dramatic fashion.
The game was hard to beat in terms of drama and entertainment, but the Farsley management will know there’s still lots to work on with this new team, particularly defensively, ahead of the next game. The win made it three wins on the bounce for Farsley and gives the club momentum.
FC Farsley’s next match was due to be a home clash against bottom-side Marsden, but the game has been postponed. Farsley will next entertain Ryburn on Saturday, 12 September, 2pm kick off.
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