Farsley Celtic went into Saturday’s game at Alfreton with one of the best away records in the league.
Desperately unfortunate not to take all three points from Warrington on Tuesday, the visitors were blown away in the opening seven minutes thanks to a blistering start from promotion hopefuls Alfreton.
Jordan Thewlis opened the scoring after just three minutes, converting a Jake Day cross for his eighth goal of the season. And after seven minutes Day headed home a long throw to double the advantage.
The following 80 minutes or so were fairly even, with both sides effectively cancelling each other out.
Farsley began to get a foothold in the game and their first real threat came in the 26th minute, when O’Brien’s dangerous cross was palmed away by Alfreton keeper Willis, with Darren Stevenson lurking.
A minute later Dylan Mottley-Henry had a chance to extend Alfreton’s lead, but Farsley keeper Zan Luke Leban smothered the chance.
Farsley ended the half moving the ball about well and Joao Silva almost pulled one back in the 38th minute after he twisted and turned in the penalty area, his shot deflected just wide by an Alfreton defender.
The second half started quietly, and neither side created much in the way in clear-cut chances.
Forward Dylan Youmbi, on loan at Farsley from Bradford City, replaced Joao Silva on the hour-mark and had a couple of shots blocked. Conor Branson, on his return to Alfreton, headed over from distance, and on 76 minutes Farsley almost had a goal back when the ball flashed dangerously across the six-yard box but no-one was able to put the ball home.
The final chance of the game fell to Alfreton, with Leban kicking a dangerous cross away with just two minutes left.
In truth the damage was done in the first seven minutes, and Farsley failed to seriously test the home keeper during the 90 minutes.
Next Saturday’s game sees Farsley, who slip to 19th in the National League North, entertain bottom club Darlington at The Citadel.