On a bright summer’s day at Throstle Nest Farsley Celtic put in a dogged performance to earn an important 1-0 victory over title favourites Colwyn Bay, writes Thomas Ritchie.
Farsley started the brighter of the two sides. They almost took the lead after Paul Walker teed up new signing James Walshaw whose effort was straight at Bay ‘keeper Shaun Pearson.
Late on in the half Farsley had an appeal for a penalty as Walshaw appeared to be felled as he was about to shoot, only for referee Simon Porter to wave away the vociferous claims.
Colwyn Bay were gradually growing into the game and The Celts’ ‘keeper Graeme McKibbin was forced into a fingertip save to deny Louis Corrigan giving Bay the lead early on in the second half.
Gareth Burnett then let fly with an effort from the edge of the box and beat McKibbin, only for his shot to hit the upright and bounce away to safety.
Farsley immediately raced down the other end as Aiden Savory flicked on to Walshaw who headed goalwards only to be denied by Pearson who tipped the ball over.
Midway through the half Farsley scored the crucial goal after a wonderfully flighted long ball from Paddy Miller found Savory. He lobbed Pearson from the edge of the box to ultimately earn Farsley the three points.
Bay had one final chance in injury time, however Danny Andrews’ free-kick flew over the bar.
Neil Parsley: ‘A fair result’
After the game Farsley manager Neil Parsley said “in the first half we were dominant” and that “a 1-0 victory was a fair result”. Audio of our interview with him is below:
Match stats
Teams:
Farsley Celtic: McKibbin, Hardy, Serrant (O’Brien 84), Hardy, Serrant, Turner, Clayton, Miller (c), P. Davidson, Marshall, Walshaw (Howarth 90), Savory, Walker. Unused subs: A. Davidson, Deacey, Daly.
Colwyn Bay: Pearson, Denson, Corrigan, Grant, Hardwick (c), Schofield (Wilson 82), Bakkor (Caghan 65), Keddie, Jones (Armstrong 90+2), Burnett, Andrews. Unused subs: Booth, Bowers.
MOTM: Paddy Miller
Attendance: 185