By John Baron
A patched-up Farsley Celtic side fell to a third consecutive league defeat as they lost 2-0 against Darlington in a ‘home’ game played at Buxton Football Club.
The Celts are playing at least their next five home games in Derbyshire – 67 miles away from The Citadel – due to stalled work on a new 4G pitch.
The off-field soap opera surrounding the club was once again the main talking point among the increasingly small but loyal band of supporters who made the trip from West Leeds.
Popular defender Tom Allan left the club to join Bridlington on Thursday evening after refusing to take the trip to Buxton.
The club’s preparations were hit on the morning of the match after three senior players – Ben Atkinson, Conor Branson and Ryan Watson – were suddenly ruled out with a stomach bug, along with some of the club’s backroom staff.
Their absence left the Celts, who currently sit under a transfer embargo and are unable to bring players in to the club, with just 12 fit first teamers. Farsley also have several long-term injury absentees.
The players who made the trip to Buxton put in a committed performance under difficult circumstances – and they’ll feel they perhaps warranted a point from the game.
Darlington looked the more threatening of the two sides in the first half, with the Farsley defence stretched.
The Quakers nearly scored on 13 minutes. Nelson brought a good save out of Farsley keeper Tom Wooster with a low shot. Further chances came and went for the visitors and only a heroic block by a Farsley defender prevented Cedric Main from opening the scoring.
Dylan Youmbi forced Darlo keeper Jameson into a diving save and the closest the Celts came to a first half goal was Danny Greenfield’s powerful volley from close range which forced Jameson into a superb save at his near post.
Just as The Celts were growing into the game they were hit by a sucker punch in first half stoppage time when Ali Alshabeeb broke the deadlock after Farsley failed to deal with a high ball. It was a scrappy goal and one which will have frustrated manager Pav Singh.
The second half continued with Darlington looking threatening. Young keeper Wooster, on loan from Manchester United, made two outstanding saves to keep the visitors at bay.
The Celts were dealt a further blow when Youmbi was substituted with what looked like an injury.
In between, Campton-Sturridge got in behind and fired a shot that went wide. A Farsley break on 68 minutes then saw Greenfield hit a 30-yarder that Jameson saved at full stretch. Mampala headed against the post from the resulting corner when arguably he should have scored.
It was game over on 72 minutes when Wooster and the Farsley defence missed a cross and Elliot Forbes was there to control the ball and calmly knock it into the empty net. Individual errors again proved costly for the Celts.
Darlo had chances to make it three, although a headed back pass let in Farsley’s Mampala, but Jameson forced him wide and the Farsley sub was eventually crowded out.
The Celts have played 18 league and cup games away from then Citadel this season, along with nine pre-season games. Despite the travelling and a recent run of just one win in their last seven league games they still sit a creditable six points outside the relegation zone.
They face two tough trips to promotion hopefuls Kings Lynn and Kidderminster in the next week.
Post-match reaction
Speaking to club media after the game manager Pav Singh pledged to ‘turn things around soon’ and praised his players, some of whom played out of position.
“While we know results matter, we’re confident that when the embargo is lifted, players returning from injury, new additions to the squad, and everyone getting back we’ll turn things around soon,” Singh said in a statement.
“With players missing and a limited bench, we weren’t in an ideal position, but the lads truly rolled up their sleeves and gave everything. Despite the setbacks, the determination and work ethic on the pitch were undeniable.
“Our structure was solid and the back three of Sam Fielding, Rudy Misambo and Bailey Sloane’s first start as a left centre back denied and delayed the pace and strength of Darlington’s forward players and we effectively disrupted Darlington’s style.
“Unfortunately, two moments of hesitation allowed them to capitalize, but overall we stayed in the game and kept competing. We were so unlucky with some of our chances; opportunities fell to Greenfield and Sturridge, and we even hit the post through Mapala’s header – so unlucky. On a good day, those go in, and we stop conceding the goals that hurt us.”
Line ups
Farsley: Wooster, Hyde, Fielding, Misambo, Sloane, Greenfield, Turner, Campton-Sturridge, Stephenson, Youmbi (sub Mampala 62), Fox. Subs: Assenso.
Darlington: Jameson, Griffiths, Forbes, Lees, Barrow, Flint, McGowan, Kelly (sub Rivers 79), Alshabeeb (sub Cornish 73),Nelson (sub Maskell 44), Main (sub Salkeld 73). Subs: Small.
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