By John Baron
Relegated Farsley Celtic slipped to 3-0 defeat against playoff chasers Curzon Ashton in their final ‘home’ game of the season.
The match was again played at Buxton’s Tarmac Silverlands Stadium – a year and a day since the Celts last played in Farsley.
The day didn’t start well for the travelling Farsley fans, with the supporters’ club minibus twice breaking down on the way to Derbyshire. Luckily the travelling fans were rescued by the team coach.
The minibus deserves a well-earned rest over the summer after ferrying supporters across the country to more than 50 consecutive games away from The Citadel.
The players (a bit like the minibus) have given their all this season. But it was a tired performance against more experienced opponents and the end of the campaign can’t come quickly enough for everyone connected with the club.
A double and an assist from former Celt Adam Barton and a strike from Alex Curran saw The Nash take all the three points back to Ashton.
The play-off hopefuls dominated the first half against a Farsley side with only 13 in the matchday squad. Barton notched his first on eight minutes after a strong start by the visitors.
Farsley went close seven minutes later, Joao Silva’s shot was blocked by a defender and Justin Iwobi fired over the bar on the follow up.
Barton had further chances to extend Curzon’s lead. The most notable was when Buckley-Ricketts’ shot was deflected into the path of Barton, but he was denied from a couple of yards out by a super stop from Farsley ‘keeper Will Brook.
It was no surprise that the lively Barton made it two just before the break, sending a bullet header into the corner from Buckley-Ricketts’ cross.
Four minutes after the break that man Barton squared the ball along the six-yard box to Alex Curran, who fired in the third. At this stage Farsley were facing a heavy defeat as the visitors searched for goals that would take them into the play-off spots.
But Farsley defended resolutely, aided by some fine goalkeeping from Brook. They restricted the visitors to a handful of efforts. Joao Silva went close for the home side, who enjoyed more possession, without making it count.
Defeat was the young Farsley side’s 17th in a row. While everyone at the club will be grateful for Buxton’s hospitality and support this season, the four-hour round trip there for ‘home’ games won’t be missed.
Bottom of the table Farsley finish a very long season with a trip to second-placed Brackley on Saturday (April 25), with the home side chasing automatic promotion.
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