The U23s beat i2i Black 4-1 in the West Riding FA Development Premier at York St John University Sports Park on Monday night.
Reggie Waud’s 30-yard free-kick opened the scoring while his penalty came the other side of Fares Djermoune’s second in two matches for himself. Sam Drake scored the fourth.
I2i’s typical high-press was evident straight away but Farsley’s ease at transitioning out of defence saw the ball be battled within the midfield for the majority of the match.
Winger Ousainey Juwara’s absence saw Muhamet Gashi introduced into midfield, Mitchell Fox appearing the highest of the three alongside Sam Drake and the number of passing lanes then available to the defence was how Farsley negated their oppositions strategy.
The opening goal came from a direct set-piece and who else for Farsley than Waud on dead balls.
From 30-yards, Waud chose power but found the accuracy to go with it, arrowing the ball high and left with too much strength for the ‘keeper to deny it.
Two minutes later, Djermoune breaks free down the right and makes the box. He’s held up and instead turns inside where his shot is deflected over the bar.
i2i’s passing flair was on show on 22 minutes, a fancy back-heeled flick, with his back to goal, found a forward on the edge and i2i appeared to have worked a shooting opportunity inside the left of the box but for Monty Forster’s last-second sliding interception to clear.
With Farsley’s block keeping i2i at distance, the hosts hit the target from around 25-yards out a minute later. The right-footed shot was curling away from that same post but ‘keeper Rhys Westcarr tipped round the woodwork. He came out and caught the resulting corner.
Djermoune made it two on the night for Farsley and two in as many matches for himself with his first-half added-time strike.
The forward’s consistent work-rate saw him disposess i2i near their own box and put himself one-one-one. He was chased by the defender into the left of the box before smashing the ball across goal and inside the far post to extend the half-time lead.
Both goalscorers Djermoune and Waud then linked up four minutes after the break. Waud’s flicked-header put Djermoune through on goal, racing down the inside left of the box before mirroring his earlier goal but this time the ball ran inches the wrong side of the post.
Waud had another opportunity from a free-kick on 53 minutes, attempting to curl this one into the same top corner as previous but the ball flew high and wide.
Djermoune broke free of the pack again on 56 minutes, free down the right to cross low into Waud shadowing the penalty spot. The forward met the ball and attempted to glance it into the far corner but got too far under it, flicking over the bar.
Waud’s penalty did extend Farsley’s lead, however, on the hour mark.
Having been fouled himself, Waud passed the ball past the right of the ‘keeper.
Drake added the fourth just three minutes later.
His run out of midfield was found by the forward pass and he then, from inside the box, found the near bottom left corner.
I2i did find Farsley’s goal after 67 minutes.
A lay-off from centre to the i2i right was placed from inside the box, across goal and past the full stretched Westcarr.
Kenneth Effah’s header went close to adding Farsley a fifth following Waud’s initial header after a corner sent the ball hovering loose over the box and Effah met the ball, mid-flight, at pace but aimed just wide.
The U23s made it three wins in their four previous trips to York St John University with this three points.