Farsley Celtic and Bradford Park Avenue played out a goalless draw on a rare warm and sunny day at Throstle Nest, writes Thomas Forth.
Neither side were able to force the breakthrough as both defences stood firm and dominated the opposition’s front line.
Farsley produced the first clear-cut opportunity almost ten minutes into the game, as Isaac Baldwin made a fantastic run down the left before picking out Ben Atkinson in the area, with his effort blocked.
Park Avenue then settled into the game and should have taken the lead as Adam Nowakowski’s cross found a wide-open trialist in the box, however he failed to fully connect and the ball was cleared to safety.
The best chance of the match fell to the visitors Bradford Park Avenue just before the interval. Nicky Boshell was denied superbly by Farsley ‘keeper Graeme McKibbin, before McKibbin eventually claimed the ball following Nowakowski’s tame follow-up.
Farsley then had their best chance early on in the second half, as some great build-up play saw Paul Walker feed Ryan Watson whose effort flashed across the face of goal before being cleared to safety.
Bradford Park Avenue then livened up after making a plethora of changes, with a trialist firing just over from inside the box.
Another trialist then came close to snatching the winner less than ten minute from full-time as he stooped to head Nicky Boshell’s corner inches past the upright.
Bradford Park Avenue substitute goalkeeper Ed Hall was then forced into a save just minutes from the end, as Luke Parkin turned and shot in the box.
The final opportunity of the game fell to Farsley as Scott Smith made a great run down the right flank and picked out James Walshaw, however a defender managed to nip in front and whip the ball off Walshaw’s toes.
Ultimately neither side was able to break down the opposing defence, and a draw was a fair result based on the balance of play.
Farsley Celtic: McKibbin (Lofthouse 82), Harris (Pollard 69), Baldwin, C. Atkinson, Ellis ©, Clayton, B. Atkinson (Smith 74), Watson, Walshaw, Marshall (Parkin 60), Walker (Gomersall 65). Unused sub: Kladakis.
Bradford Park Avenue: Drench (Hall 71), Toulson, Hill (Trialist 71), Nowakowski, Havern (Brooksby 60), Knowles ©, Trialist (Wroe 60), Trialist (Trialist 71), Trialist (Trialist 60), Johnson (Boyes 46), Boshell.
MOTM: Adam Clayton