Despite dominating the game for 75 minutes Farsley Celtic blew a two-goal lead as they suffered a crushing defeat to title rivals Lancaster City, writes Thomas Ritchie.
The Celts now nine points behind Lancaster with three games in hand. This result meant Lancaster had done the double over Farsley, winning the first game 4-2 in a similar fashion after trailing 2-1.
Craig Carney almost gave Lancaster the advantage after a scrappy opening spell, as he received the ball from Ryan Winder before firing inches over.
James Walshaw tested Lancaster ‘keeper Mike Hale as his curling free-kick was parried away to safety. Farsley then won a penalty as Jordan Deacey’s corner fell to Lewis Nightingale who’s goal bound strike struck a Lancaster arm. Richard Marshall stepped up and smashed the spot kick home despite Hale getting a hand to it.
James Walshaw had a chance to double Celtic’s lead on the stroke of halftime, as he was played through by Ryan Watson before producing a superb save by Mike Hale to deny the inform forward.
Farsley started the second half as they ended the first, as within a minute Marshall had played in Walshaw who’s effort was clawed away by Hale. Midway through the half a Ryan Winder cross found Craig Carney in the box who dribbled across the six yard box before blasting his effort high and wide.
The Celts deservedly doubled their lead with less than 20 minutes to go as Adam Clayton rose highest to superbly head home Ryan Watson’s corner.
Ryan Winder gave Lancaster a lifeline with a terrific solo goal as he skipped past Aaron Hardy and Adam Clayton in the box before slotting home.
However the best was yet to come from Winder, as with three minutes remaining Adam Sumner’s free-kick was cleared to Winder on the edge of the box who unleashed a searing, unstoppable volley past The Celts’ ‘keeper Graeme McKibbin.
As the game headed into injury time Lancaster snatched all three points as Adam Clayton failed to control Aaron Hardy’s pass, with Jordan Connerton latching onto the ball and slipping through Craig Carney who slotted home to send the home fans wild.
Lancaster City: Hale, Birch, Jarvis, Wills, Steel, Mercer (c), Gregory (Sumner 85), Akrigg (Mayers 71), Connerton, Carney, Winder. Unused subs: Clark, Henry, Westwood.
Farsley Celtic: McKibbin, Hardy (c), Howarth, Turner, Clayton, Savory, Nightingale, Watson, Walshaw, Deacey (Daly 66), Marshall. Unused subs: Walker, P. Davidson, Atkinson, Serrant.
MOTM: Ryan Winder
Attendance: 249