By Thomas Ritchie
Farsley Celtic and AFC Fylde will have to do it all again on Tuesday evening, as a 1-1 draw at Mill Farm ensured a replay will be required to determine who will take their place in the Emirates FA Cup third qualifying round.
Both sides will feel they created enough chances to win the game, but neither could find the all-important third goal which would have secured progression to the next round.
Ultimately, it was a tale of two corners, Kyle Morrison turning home in the first half, before Tom Allan replied for the Celts after the break.
Despite the two clubs’ diverging fortunes in the league at this early stage, it was the Celts who looked the most likely early on.
Jimmy Spencer forced a smart save from Chris Neal before, from the resulting corner, Andy Butler found himself free in the box but failed to direct his header on target.
It would be the hosts who found the opener; Pierce Bird did superbly well to keep a corner in play at the back post, managing to divert the ball into the path of Morrison, who turned home from close range.
The Coasters would then have a terrific opportunity to double their lead, and would have done so but for some heroic defending from Adam Clayton.
Morrison delivered a deep cross for Joe Rowley, whose header was deflected onto the post by Owen Mason, before Clayton reacted superbly to block Rowley’s follow-up on the line.
It would continue to be a game in which both sides had chances, Adam Clayton and Dave Syers both having good efforts blocked after the break, either side of Rowley blazing wide when well-positioned.
But it would be Farsley who struck next. A run of four successive corners, which Fylde failed to deal with convincingly, bore fruit for the Celts as Tom Allan superbly powered home Bobby Johnson’s delivery.
Fylde’s chance to snatch the win would arrive in the final minute of normal time, Nick Haughton was the architect before Mason produced a stunning save to deny Tom Walker, with Rowley and Connor Barrett also denied in a desperate penalty-box scramble.
There would still be time for Farsley to almost find a winner, Andy Butler making a great run to get on the end of a Chris Atkinson free-kick, only to glance his header inches wide.
Farsley Celtic and AFC Fylde will now do it all again on Tuesday evening at the Citadel, kick-off 7.45pm.
Line ups
AFC Fylde: Neal, Morrison ©, Obi, Bird (Barrett 46), Hatfield, Rowe (Haughton 29), Rowley, Patten (Cranston 73), Walker, Conlan, Whitehead. Unused subs: Weston, Philliskirk, Ligendza, Whitmore.
Farsley Celtic: Mason, Turner, Allan, Johnson, Butler, Clayton, Syers © (Gratton 76), Atkinson, Spencer, Mulhern (Malumo 84), Parkin. Unused subs: Ingham, Morgan (GK).
Attendance: 400.
Match reaction
Farsley Celtic boss Russ Wilcox said he was proud by his side’s battling performance but was again frustrated with the Celts not translating a positive performance into a win:
Skipper Dave Syers said the Celts were building on two strong away draws – but was frustrated the visitors didn’t have more to show.
Replay tickets and supporter information
Farsley Celtic and AFC Fylde will have to do it all again on Tuesday evening at the Citadel, as the Emirates FA Cup second qualifying round tie goes to a replay.
Find out all you need to know ahead of the fixture.
KICK OFF
7.45pm.
ADDRESS
The Citadel, Newlands, Farsley, Leeds, LS28 5BE.
ADMISSION PRICES
Adults: £14
Concessions (Over 60s, Students with a valid NUS card): £9
Ages 10-17: £5
Ages 6-9: £2
Under 6s: Free
Tickets can be purchased at the gate, or in advance online.
You can purchase tickets in advance HERE.
Please note that season tickets are not valid for this fixture.
CLUB SHOP
The club shop will be open and stocked with a range of Farsley Celtic merchandise.
The shop can be located behind the main stand.
THE NEST BAR
The Nest Bar will be open from 5pm on Tuesday, with all supporters welcome.
From 6pm-7.30pm happy hour offers are in operation, offering 50p off all draught products.
