By John Baron
A clinical last-minute strike by substitute Darren Stephenson was enough to give Farsley Celtic an opening day win in a five-goal thriller at Rushall Olympic.
It may be a footballing cliche, but this really was a game of two halves.
The first half saw The Celts play some attractive attacking football, dominating possession in a fine performance.
The hosts took the lead against the run of play with Jaden Charles’ early 30-yard free-kick, but a penalty from Ben Atkinson, followed by Rudy Misambo’s header (his first goal for the club) later in the half.
Rushall came back after the interval and deservedly levelled through Sam McLintock, but substitute Stephenson kept his nerve when clean through in the 89th minute to guarantee Farsley all three points.
It was Farsley’s first win on the road since they beat Buxton 2-1 last November.
The Celts started brightly and had a couple of early chances through Aiden Walker and Manasse Mampala.
Against the run of play Jaden Charles struck a magnificent 30-yard free kick past debutant goalkeeper Tom Wooster, who remained rooted to the spot.
But Farsley were awarded a penalty four minutes later when Clayton Donaldson was clattered by Pics goalkeeper Paul White. A lengthy delay ensued as Donaldson received treatment and was replaced by Dylan Youmbi but Ben Atkinson kept his cool to slam his penalty down the middle to level the scores.
Farsley continued to dominate as Youmbi saw his effort blocked and Sam Fielding’s follow up was palmed wide by White. On 34 minutes the lively Fielding saw a rasping drive from the edge of the box blocked for a corner.
The visitors’ pressure finally paid off as Misambo gave Farsley a 2-1 lead ten minutes before the break, as he headed home from an angle following a corner kick.
The second half was a different story as Rushall dominated midfield and Farsley’s passing game – so effective in the first half – was replaced by aimless long balls.
It was no surprise when the home side equalised on 54 minutes. McLintock fired home a fine strike from the left of the penalty area after Farsley were loose in possession.
Farsley had the chance to respond on the hour mark from an inviting Fielding free kick but Tom Allan misread the flight of the ball and scuffed his effort into the side-netting when well placed.
McLintock was proving to be Rushall’s danger man as they went in search of the win. Only a vital goal-line header from Ben Atkinson denied the midfielder a second goal, and on 82 minutes he saw another shot well blocked by Misambo.
Farsley looked to be holding out for a draw until substitute Stephenson was played through one on one with the goalkeeper and, just as he did in the opening game at Rushall last August, coolly slotted home to secure a 3-2 win and send the Farsley faithful into raptures.
Even this early in the season some of the travelling Celt Army felt the game was already a six pointer against a team likely to be among the strugglers and they were buoyed by a fine first half performance from their side.
This was the first of at least eight consecutive away games for the Celts due to work at The Citadel and it was important for Donaldson’s side to notch an early three points.
Next Saturday Farsley travel to Buxton as they continue their National League North travels.
Line up
Farsley Celtic: Wooster, Walker (Campton-Sturridge 90+5), Misambo, Allan, Turner, Mampala, B Atkinson, Fielding, Greenfield (Leverett 75), Watson (Sloane 73), Donaldson (Youmbi 22, Stephenson 84).
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