By John Baron
A committed and stubborn Farsley Celtic side slipped to a 1-0 defeat at promotion hopefuls Kidderminster Harriers.
The game was the Celts 29th consecutive match played away from The Citadel – including pre-season friendlies – due to stalled work on laying a new 4G pitch.
While the Celts were on the back foot for much of the game, they defended resolutely and were indebted to emergency loan signing Kieran Flavell – making his impressive debut in the Farsley goal – for a string of fine saves.
It was cruel that the only goal of the game came early in the second half when Barnsley youngster Flavell fumbled a cross for Harriers substitute Ben Beresford to bundle home from a couple of yards out.
After a couple of early off-target efforts from the home side, Flavell beat away Zac Brown’s 17th-minute effort at the far post.
Flavell was again called into action soon after, making a sharp low stop to prevent Foulkes from finding the bottom corner.
The Celts brought on DJ Campton-Sturridge for Manny Mampala at half time as they looked to carry more attacking threat, but the second half continued with the home side creating the best of the chances against the hard-working visitors.
Flavell again saved superbly from Amari Morgan-Smith’s header, before Cole Hyde did well to block the rebound. Moments later the home side’s pressure paid off when substitute Ben Beresford, who had only been on the pitch a matter of seconds, bundled home after a testing cross slipped out of the hands of the back-pedalling Flavell.
Harriers keeper Christian Dibble held well from Danny Greenfield’s distance effort as Farsley tried to respond quickly, and shortly afterwards a goalmouth scramble saw the ball finish in Dibble’s hands, much to the keeper’s relief.
Farsley enjoyed more possession as they searched for an equaliser but Flavell saved well again, as the Celts slipped to defeat in front of a crowd of over 2,000.
The defeat, which leaves the Celts three points above the National League North drop zone, came against the backdrop of a supporters’ club meeting on Wednesday attended by more than 40 members, who cast a vote of no confidence in chairman Paul Barthorpe amid ongoing delays in installing the new pitch.
The club announced yesterday a full update from the chairman was due on Monday “relating to all of the latest comments and issues recently raised and also a number of other statements relating to club activities, including the pitch, embargo and other areas of operation which we hope will put an end to what is fast becoming a very damaging time for the club.”
Line up
Farsley Celtic: Flavell, Hyde, Fielding, Misambo, Branson, Sloane, Turner, B Atkinson, Greenfield, Stephenson, Mampala (Campton Sturridge, 46). Subs: Assenso, Fox, Youmbi.
Next match
The Celts face their 30th consecutive match away from Farsley on Saturday when they travel to Bamber Bridge in the FA Trophy. Kick off is 3pm.