Farsley Celtic denied by late Banbury equaliser

By John Baron

Farsley Celtic extended their unbeaten run to seven games after a creditable 1-1 draw at Banbury.

The Celts may well feel they should have taken all three points following a strong second-half showing.

They deservedly took the lead when Noah Wadsworth capped a lively display by firing home after a fantastic save by the Banbury keeper on 63 minutes,

Banbury’s equaliser came six minutes’ from time with a fine Manny Maja finish, in what was the home side’s first shot on target.

A tight first half saw little action of note and neither keeper had a save to make. Noel Wadsworth’s dangerous cross was collected by Banbury’s keeper and at the other end Rudy Misambo made an important block.

The match became more open second half, Banbury’s Ken Charles shooting narrowly wide after excellent work in the box on 51 minutes.

The visitors then had their best spell of the match. Conor Branson put a free header over the bar and soon after a 25-yard Chris Atkinson effort crashed against the Banbury crossbar.

It was no surprise when The Celts took the lead through Wadsworth’s strike just after the hour mark, after he pounced on a world-class save from Banbury’s keeper Jack Harding to turn the ball home from close range.

The Celts continued to threaten and substitute Dylan Youmbi weaved his way past three Banbury defenders before being crowded out.

Although The Celts defended well against growing Banbury possession, there were just seven minutes remaining when Maja’s fine finish pegged back The Celts and their vocal following.

And in the 94th minute Farsley keeper Zan Luk Leban made a stunning save, tipping a Banbury effort over the bar.

Defeat at that late stage for Farsley really would have been a cruel injustice.

Line up

Farsley Celtic: Leban, C Atkinson, Wadsworth, Evans, Misambo, Allan, Leverett, B Atkinson, Leverett, Coulson, Branson, Silva (Youmbi). Subs: Watson, Donaldson, Smith, Youmbi, Assenso.

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