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Farsley AFC looking for some knockout form
Neil Parsley being presented with his manager of the month award from league board member Mark Ogley before the 3-1 victory over Woodley Sports.
Boss Neil Parsley is hoping for a cup tonic at derby rivals Garforth this evening as his Farsley AFC side bid to lift the new year blues.
Farsley have won just once in four outings this month – 2-1 at Mossley three weeks ago – and have slipped down to fifth place in Evo-Stik League First Division North as a direct result.
They may still occupy the final play-off berth but they are only a point clear of tonight’s hosts and Parsley knows his side will have to stop the rot swiftly if they are to remain on course for a second successive promotion.
He is therefore hoping a victory over Garforth in tonight’s West Riding County Cup quarter-final at the Genix Healthcare Stadium can prove the catalyst for a push back up the table – as well as keeping Farsley on course for a first appearance in the showpiece since 2006.
Parsley said: “We have lost three out of four in January which is very disappointing.
“If I am being honest, we have only played very well in the second half at Lancaster on Saturday and in the second half at Mossley. In the other games we haven’t played very well at all.
“It is disappointing but there is no reason, with the calibre of players we have got in the dressing room, why we can’t snap out of it sooner rather than later.
“We are closing in on the business end of the season and I don’t want the poor sequence of results to continue because it puts more pressure on us in the run-in.”
Farsley started the month with a 3-2 defeat at home to tonight’s opponents and after bouncing back to win at Mossley, they then lost 1-0 to Warrington Town before crashing 4-1 at Lancaster on Saturday.
But Garforth have also lost their last two matches, 3-1 at Curzon Ashton and 2-1 at home to table-toppers Fylde on Saturday, so tonight’s match also has added significance for Steve Nichol’s men who won the County Cup in both 2009 and 2010.
Repeat
The winners of tonight’s tie will progress to a semi-final at either holders Guiseley or FC Halifax Town who meet at Nethermoor this evening – weather permitting – in a repeat of the 2005 final.
Parsley said: “It’s a big game in the context of both sides losing their last two league games which, without showing any disrespect to other sides in the division, is surprising.
“I know Garforth have had difficult games but I was impressed with them when they came to our place and I thought they could get something.
“They are a very accomplished side at this level and I think they have got every chance of pushing the teams who are currently in the play-off places all the way.
“It will be a difficult game and they are all big sides left in the competition, but we want to progress, we want to snap out of our poor sequence and it would be great to go all the way to the final or maybe even win it.”
In tonight’s other quarter-final clash, Farsley’s league rivals Ossett Albion are at home to Blue Square Bet North side Harrogate Town.
The winners will entertain Bradford Park Avenue who came from behind to defeat NCE league side Armthorpe Welfare 3-1 last night. Curtis Bernard, Tom Greaves and Adam Clayton were on target for the hosts.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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Temperature: 9 C to 21 C
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