New Boys Farsley Celtic look good value at Woking

Non-league / Editor / 03 October 2007 / Leave a Comment

After a back-to-lay triumph last week, Frank Gregan reckons Farsley will shine in on TV...

I've never been one for slapping myself on the back but I must say I was delighted with the way last week's live game panned out. I'd tipped Halifax to win at a decent price and was delighted to see them take a two goal lead. In-play traders who then followed my advice of a couple of weeks earlier relating to trading a side that has a two goal lead must have had a field day as Halifax went as low as 1.08.

To cap it off York went on to win the game and relieve the pressure on manager Billy McEwan, courtesy of a goal by one of my former players, Alex Meecham. I thought the passion and relief displayed on the touchline by the York manager was a delight to watch. A highly satisfactory evening all round!

This week's game is a tough one to call and no doubt most people will be expecting the home side to pick up the three points. Woking are a capable outfit and they will be a short price to turnover Farsley Celtic who make the long trek down from Yorkshire.

However, I like newly-promoted sides that appear to be enjoying new environments week in, week out. The nature of Farsley's promotion must still be vivid in the minds of everyone at the club. They scored twice in the last three minutes of last year's play-off final to secure their place in the Conference National, showing unbelievable character when they looked dead and buried. That 4-3 win against Hinckley United allowed the club to move up to this level for the first time in its history.

I've experienced that feeling and the adrenalin will keep the club buzzing until Christmas. There will be great confidence and belief within their dressing room that nothing is beyond them and they will relish their big night on Thursday in front of the cameras. Farsley have proved that they love the big occasion - they not only have the Hinckley game to remember and savour, but they were also promoted to the Conference North via a play-off final.

Woking will have the pressure of playing at home and appeasing a crowd that has only seen one home win this season. They are still unbeaten at home having recorded five draws to go with their solitary win and again, that is something that adds to the pressure, maintaining an unbeaten sequence. I think odds of around 4.5 for a Farsley win represents tremendous value and a great opportunity to trade in play should the visitors get their noses in front.