Words: Thomas Ritchie
Photos: John McEvoy/@leedsshots
Farsley Celtic won for the first time in the league in over three months as they defeated promotion-chasing Kidderminster Harriers 2-1.
It was a thoroughly deserved three points for the Celts – Russ Wilcox’s first since taking charge – as the Celts took the game to the visitors, with goals from Jimmy Spencer and Will Hayhurst securing the victory.
Both sides found it difficult to create any openings early on at the Citadel, but the contest sprang to life midway through the first half when Farsley broke the deadlock.
Kidderminster failed to deal with a Will Hayhurst delivery from the left, and it fell to Jimmy Spencer on the edge of the box who picked out the bottom corner with a terrific half-volley finish.
Man-of-the-match Spencer was sensational throughout the afternoon as he caused all sorts of problems for Kidderminster’s defence, picking the ball up deep, holding the ball up, and bringing his teammates into the game.
And it could have been two for Farsley shortly after, with the impressive Kennedy Digie striking the upright after the Harriers once again were asked questions by a Hayhurst cross.
However, on the stroke of half-time, the scores were levelled. Trenerry mis-controlled a ball over the top before bringing down Amari Morgan-Smith, with Ashley Hemmings punishing the error from the spot.
Despite the equaliser, the same pattern of play resumed after the break, with Farsley the side looking to push things forward, and they were rewarded with just over 20 minutes remaining.
Nathan Cameron blocked Adam Clayton’s cross with his arm, before Will Hayhurst found the bottom corner with his spot-kick.
The Celts’ best chance to put the game to bed arrived within two minutes as a superb ball from Chris Atkinson found Jerome Greaves, whose first-time volley was denied superbly by Luke Simpson.
As the 90 minutes drew to a close, both sides were reduced to 10 men in the space of two minutes, as Farsley’s Chris Atkinson and Kidderminster’s Joe Foules both received their marching orders for second cautions. Farsley manager Russ Wilcox also received a red card.
At 10 versus 10 for eight tense minutes of stoppage time, the visitors threw everything at Farsley, with Trenerry having to make one excellent stop to deny Matt Lowe.
But the Celts stood strong, with Adam Clayton and Kennedy Digie dealing with the repeated long balls into the box superbly.
Post-match reaction
After the match Russ Wilcox welcomed the Celts’ first three points since November, which put them level on points with Telford at the bottom of the table:
New signing Kennedy Digie said the Celts got the result they deserved:
Line-ups
Farsley Celtic: Trenerry. Turner, Digie, Clayton, Butroid, Parkin (Syers 90), Walker, Atkinson ©, Hayhurst, Greaves (Gratton 82), Spencer. Unused subs: Vaughan, Westcarr (GK), Sutton.
Kidderminster Harriers: Simpson, Penny (Foules 70), Richards, Cameron, Lowe, Montrose, Austin ©, Bajrami, Redmond (Sterling 75), Morgan-Smith, Hemmings (Fremantle 62). Unused subs: Carrington, White.
Attendance: 605.