By John Baron
A dogged display saw Farsley Celtic battle to earn a point in a bitterly cold Boxing Day derby at Bradford (Park Avenue) which was blighted by heavy sleet and wind.
The game, in truth lacked quality, but it was a looping Tom Allan header from Bobby Johnson’s corner which gave the visitors a deserved lead as they edged the first half at the Horsfall Stadium.
With a bit more quality in the final third, the Celts could have been further ahead and, after a slow start, ended the half in the ascendancy.
Luke Parkin fired at goal from a tight angle and Bradford keeper George Sykes-Kenworthy made the save, and soon after Carlton Ubaezuounu shot from the edge of the area, which was again caught by Sykes-Kenworthy.
The second-half saw the visitors battle gruelling blizzard conditions in their faces and, not for the first time this season, they struggled to replicate their first-half performance.
Farsley keeper Max Dearnley parried a cross away before springing back up to his feet to deny Jordan Preston as the Farsley goal began to lead a charmed life.
Bradford equalised on the hour mark, Sam Fielding taking advantage of some loose defending at the back post from a corner.
Soon after, former Farsley man Will Longbottom hit the crossbar for the hosts, but the Celts held out for a deserved share of the points, despite a late scare when a late Bradford goal was ruled out for offside.
Next up for Farsley Celtic is the reverse home fixture against Bradford (Park Avenue) at the Citadel on New Year’s Day 2023, kick off 1pm. Ticket details can be found here.
Line ups
Bradford (Park Avenue): Sykes-Kenworthy, Odunston (Angell 76), Staunton (Johnson 46), Spencer, Havern ©, Fielding, Lancaster, Richman, Blyth, Preston (Dockerty 74), Longbottom. Unused subs: Hall (GK).
Farsley Celtic: Dearnley, Scales, Butroid, Johnson (Clayton 79), Butler ©, Teale, Allan, Ubaezuonu, Spencer, Mulhern, Parkin (Wallace 65). Unused subs: Osadebe, Assenso, Morgan (GK).
Attendance: 672.
Reaction
Farsley Celtic boss Russ Wilcox praised his side’s resilience as they scrapped their way to a point at the Horsfall Stadium: