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PARS: WE WENT TO "PIECES" AT HALL ROAD
(September 08, 2010)
By James Grayson
Mark Jackson’s 75th minute header rescued Farsley AFC from an embarrassing defeat at struggling Hall Road Rangers in the Northern Counties East League Premier Division.
Although, had Hall Road held out, it would have definitely have been regarded as a controversial victory as Lee Macklin used his hand to give Rangers a first half lead.
But, the disappointing factor for Farsley was the response to Macklin’s ‘goal’ and boss Neil Parsley said his team went to “pieces”.
“I thought that until Hall Road got their goal, we were comfortable without really dominating,” he said.
“Then when they got the controversial goal, I felt ten minutes before half time, we were in pieces and I thought we were a shambles.
“We had a chat at half time, we re-grouped, and in the second half, we were a lot better.
“I made two changes early in the second half as Steve Mallory had a strained Achilles and I brought Watto on so he could get on the ball and get us passing and it worked.
“It was one of them games where you are thinking ‘is it going to be our night’ when you have loads of the play and balls are fizzing across the face of the area.
“We scored when Jacko got on the end of a good Roy Stamer ball and with quarter of an hour to go, we had more in our locker as the keeper made a great save from Sim’s free kick.”
Farsley started brightly as Parsley says, but never tested Hall Road keeper Mike Burley and paid the price when Hall Road’s goal was given.
A free kick from the left was swept into the box and Macklin steered the ball past Farsley stopper Tom Taylor with his hand.
Despite the protestations, the referee Mr Lawson – yet another poor level three official, who was by far incorrectly positioned and oblivious to the handball – sensationally awarded the goal.
Winless Hall Road were suddenly given a boost and began to up their game to protect the lead.
Even after half-time, Farsley continued find their way and it took until the arrivals of popular midfielder Andy Watson and quick striker Dave Stead for Farsley to begin the revival.
Straightaway, Watson made a difference – rolling back the years by getting Farsley playing.
The substitutions brought Roy Stamer to life and he began causing mayhem down the left, but his crosses weren’t met and the goal didn’t look like it was coming.
But, with time fading away, Farsley legend Simeon Bambrook was fouled and Stamer stepped up to the plate with a superb delivery from a free kick– giving Jackson the chance to nod home from close range.
The momentum suddenly swung Farsley’s way and Hall Road were given a nervy last ten minutes due to a number of corner and free kicks.
The best chance falling with the last kick of the game – Bambrook’s pile driver free kick had to be well held by Burley.
Hall Road Rangers: Burley, Wilson, Goldie, Macklin, Sudaby, Robins, Walker, Friend, McGarry, Cattermole, Gawthorpe.
Farsley AFC: Taylor, Mallory (Watson 54), Serrant, Driscoll (Stead 54), M Jackson, Connor, Sutcliffe, Bambrook, Jones, Grant and Stamer. Sub unused: T Jackson.
Referee: K Lawson
FAFC men of the match: Roy Stamer and Andy Watson
