By John Baron
A blustery night saw ten-man Farsley Celtic crash out of the West Riding County Cup to minnows Albion Sports.
It was a strange evening for the Celts, facing their tenants Albion Sports as the ‘away’ side, despite the game being played at the Citadel.
Even more bizarrely, the quarter final clash was actually The Celts’ first – and only – outing in the competition this season, after receiving a bye in the first round before Glasshoughton Welfare withdrew from the competition ahead of the second round meeting.
Albion knew how to play the atrocious conditions and pitch better than the National League North side and a lacklustre Farsley barely troubled Albion’s goalkeeper all evening.
Boss Russ Wilcox played just four of the side beaten 5-2 at Curzon Ashton on Saturday, with three young players – keeper Oliver Ford, midfielder Alfie Wilkinson and striker Ousainey Juwara making their debuts in the starting 11. Academy substitutes Tasfagerfish and Fox also came on from the bench in the second half.
After wasting an earlier chance when through on goal, Albion deservedly took the lead when the lively Gorji slotted home when one-on-one with keeper Ford.
Although Farsley controlled portions of the game, they created little and their cause was damaged further just before half time when Isaac Assenso was given a straight red after needlessly getting involved in a scuffle following a bad challenge from an Albion player.
The game was effectively ended as a contest five minutes into the second half with Albion captain Basi doubling the lead with a spectacular wind-assisted shot from a good 40 yards out.
Albion made good use of the conditions and almost notched a third when Faulding’s free kick from the half way line was carried by the wind and rattled the Farsley crossbar. Three minutes later keeper Ford was forced into a decent save with his feet.
The rest of the game was played out in the Farsley half as the game fizzled out for a thoroughly deserved win for Albion Sports, who simply wanted it more on the night.
The Celts return to National League North action on Saturday, when they entertain Hereford.