Words: Thomas Ritchie
Photos: John McEvoy/@leedsshots
Farsley Celtic held play-off chasing Kettering Town to a 1-1 draw at the Citadel, making it just one league defeat in seven for the Celts.
Connor Kennedy had the visitors in front midway through the opening period and, for a Farsley side that since August hadn’t picked up a point after conceding the first goal in a game, that could have been a crucial blow.
But Russ Wilcox’s men were more than up to the task, and were level before the break as Jimmy Spencer struck his 50th goal in Farsley colours.
It’s a point that keeps Farsley 20th in the division, six points clear of Guiseley who occupy the sole relegation spot, although the Nethermoor team do have a game in hand. Telford’s late equaliser means 19th-place Blyth are still a point behind The Celts.
Kettering, who began the side outside the play-offs on goal difference, started the game brightly, and would fashion the first big opportunity of the game.
Callum Stead was picked out in the box after good work from Liam Daly and Connor Kennedy, but on-loan keeper David Robson made a terrific stop to deny the Kettering man.
Farsley then came close as Luke Parkin had an effort tipped over by Jackson Smith, but midway through the first half, it would be the Poppies with the breakthrough.
Alex Brown did superbly down the left and found Jordan Crawford, the forward laying the ball off to Connor Kennedy, who found the space to drive the ball into the bottom corner of the upright.
As the hosts looked to respond Jimmy Spencer was denied by the upright, but he would be on target before the break.
A Will Hayhurst corner was nodded down by Kennedy Digie, and Spencer was on hand to stab home his fifth of the season, and 50th for the club.
Conditions worsened after the interval as the hail arrived, and both sides were restricted to little more than half-chances for much of the second 45.
The closest either side came to a second occurred in the space of two minutes in the closing moments; Decarrey Sheriff fired goalward on the half-turn, with Robson equal to the task, before at the other end Frank Mulhern prodded wide from a Chris Atkinson free-kick.
Ultimately, it was a point that probably pleased both sides, and it continues Farsley’s good form ahead of a crunch Good Friday trip to Blyth Spartans.
Farsley Celtic: Robson, Turner, Digie, Clayton (Gratton 30), Butroid, Hayhurst, Atkinson ©, Leroy-Belehouan, Parkin, Mulhern, Spencer. Unused subs: Trenerry (GK), Greaves, Drake, Malumo.
Kettering Town: Jackson Smith, Barrett, Brown, Jack Smith, Johnson, Cooper, Stead (Sheriff 62), Kennedy, Stohrer, Crawford (Deacon 62), Daly. Unused subs: C. Smith, Milovanovic, Davies.
Attendance: 589.
