Farsley Celtic 3 Wakefield 0
The Celts marched through to the third qualifying round of the FA Cup with a straightforward victory over their struggling neighbours but they still had to work hard to break down the stubborn opposition.
The UniBond Division One outfit may well be looking for their first point in the league this season but they gave their all. The world's oldest and arguably greatest knockout competition tends to bring the best out of clubs involved.
The overriding factor in Farsley's win, and the reason why they will be listening into the nearest radio at lunchtime today to find out who they will face in the next round, was patience.
Their elevation to the Conference North had set them in good stead. They are used to putting in plenty of effort before breaking teams down and that wiped out any fear of frustration setting in.
A goal just before the hour relieved any tension on the terraces and effectively broke the resistance of Wakefield.
The Celts did struggle in the opening period but there were still some excellent chances carved out.
Wakefield keeper Chris Woods, a former England semi-pro international who Farsley boss Lee Sinnott once signed from Chester City, had to be alert against his old club.
Midway through the first half a shot from James Knowles was heading for the top corner before the athletic Woods made a superb diving save.
He made an even better stop following a free-kick later as he kept a Damien Reeves shot out with his fingertips.
It had been virtually one-way traffic in the first quarter of the game but just after the half-hour mark, Celts left back Martin Pemberton had to make a well-timed tackle inside his own area to rob Steve Kenworthy.
The Celts upped the tempo right from the start of the second period as more chances were created.
But Wakefield made the odd probing attack themselves that reminded the home supporters that it was still goalless.
When the nerves were settled, it was not by a marauding forward but by centre back Ryan Crossley at a set-piece.
Having forced a corner, Roy Stamer whipped it in and Crossley rose to head the ball over the line in a goalmouth scramble.
Farsley manager Sinnott made a change in the 75th minute as Chris Thackray came off the bench.
The move paid dividends as two minutes later, it was Thackray's persistence that won a ball on the halfway line.
It was pumped forward and Reeves finished with a thumping drive.
With the minutes ticking away, Gareth Grant hit a snap shot from 20 yards that Woods could only tip over for a corner.
From Stamer's corner, Dominic Krief saw his shot well blocked by Woods but Reeves headed it back into the danger zone and Thackray bundled it over the line from point-blank range.
"We were made to wait for it and to work for it," said Sinnott.
"Wakefield put in a lot of effort but I didn't think they hurt us in the final third of the pitch.
"It wasn't our most fluid or inspiring display but cup football is all about the result and I'm sure the players will all be tuned in to find out who we have drawn in the next round.
"I thought Gareth Grant was the only one of our forwards that made any headway in the first half.
"We spoke about that during the break and there was an improvement so our patience paid off in the long run."
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