By John Baron
A disastrous first half performance contributed to Farsley Celtic falling to an abject 5-1 defeat at South Shields.
The Celts were 4-0 down after just 33 minutes as a brace each from Kyle Crossley and Paul Blackett put the home side in full control.
While Farsley loanee defender Aaron Pickles pulled one back for the Celts after 52 minutes, Martin Smith restored Shields’ four-goal lead a minute later – and the defeat could have been heavier.
Many of the issues prevalent in last Saturday’s fortuitous 1-0 win at Bamber Bridge reared their head again. The Celts were too easy to play through in midfield (a king-size gap has emerged since the departure of Danny Greenfield) and were off the pace throughout. Some players were played out of position and once again Farsley were reliant on young loan signings in key positions.
The challenge facing players this season cannot be understated. Yesterday’s game should have been played at home but had to be switched. The trip to the North East was Farsley’s 31st consecutive game played away from The Citadel, including pre-season, as work continues to stall on the new 4G pitch. It would be naive to think the schedule on the road isn’t taking its toll.
The game comes against a backdrop of player payment concerns and a supporters’ club vote of no confidence in the owner and subsequent boycott of ‘home’ games, which are currently being played over 70 miles away in Buxton.
Since a 3-0 victory against Peterborough Sports a month ago, the Celts have now lost five out of their last six league games and, after a positive start to the season, sit three points above the National League North drop zone.
Shields came flying out of the traps yesterday. Farsley defenders did well to block an early couple of efforts and on eight minutes the home side almost took the lead. The lively Crossley’s deflected shot looped on to the Farsley bar for a corner.
But Crossley wouldn’t be denied and from the resultant corner seconds later he headed home unchallenged for 1-0.
Blackett was then denied by Farsley’s keeper Flavell before Crossley added a second on 19 minutes.
The third goal on 23 minutes was a stunner. Danger man Blackett found space on the edge of the area and placed his shot elegantly into the top left corner.
On 33 minutes Crossley drove down the left hand side, before cutting the ball across to then unmarked Blackett who could not miss an open goal. Blackett almost grabbed his hat-trick before half time, just failing to convert when well-placed inside the box.
Manager Pav Singh brought on Ryan Watson and Hayden Pickard at half time in a bid to bring some stability and The Celts improved in the second half.
Darren Stephenson found space in the right of the box and fired in a low cross which found Aaron Pickles, who bundled home his first goal for the club to pull one back. The Farsley fans’ chant of “we’re going to win 5-4” proved short-lived.
A minute later there was a scramble in the Farsley box which saw a couple of shots blocked. Farsley couldn’t clear and Smith eventually converted. “We’re going to win 6-5,” came the self deprecating chant from the dozen or so hardy travellers from West Leeds.
The home side continued to create chances and Flavell pulled off a couple of decent saves.
Substitute Joao Silva looked lively and, with the game over, The Celts looked to restore some pride late on. Turner’s 85th minute drive from the edge of the box was superbly saved.
Next up the Celts play at Buxton on Tuesday as they entertain high flying Chorley, before a crunch game at league new boys Oxford City next Saturday. Pav Singh’s men need to get some points on the board quickly to lift some of the gloom.
Line up
Farsley Celtic: Flavell, Misambo (Silva, 62), Abankwah, Turner, Hyde (Pickard 45), Branson, Pickles, Fielding (Watson 45), Ben Atkinson, Campton-Sturridge, Stephenson. Subs: Silva, Stone.