Farsley Celtic’s inconsistencies were on show once again as they failed to build on Saturday’s 3-0 win over Buxton, losing 2-1 at home to lowly Matlock, writes Thomas Ritchie.
The Celts are yet to win more than three league games in a row, as a clinical performance from Harry Limb, on loan from Burnley, helped the Gladiators to their first win of 2018.
Farsley started on the front foot, with Lewis Turner and Isaac Baldwin both failing to hit the target with efforts inside the opening five minutes.
Matlock shot-stopper Phil Barnes was forced into action as he made the first save of the match, Ben Atkinson unable to guide Danny Ellis’ cross into the goal.
Midway through the first-half Matlock took the lead with their first foray into the Farsley half, Harry Limb using his pace to burst through on goal and calmly slot home past Graeme McKibbin.
In a half of few chances Farsley were able to make their dominance show on the stroke of half-time, Nathan Turner firing past Barnes for his second goal of the season, after Danny Ellis did well to win the initial header.
Less than ten minutes into the second-half Matlock regained their lead in near identical fashion to how they scored their first, Limb too sharp and quick for the Farsley defence, and he was able to slide past McKibbin, Matlock scoring twice from their first two efforts on goal.
Luke Parkin then had what turned out to be Farsley’s best chance of the half, latching on to Ellis’ flick on, however his shot on the turn was well saved by Barnes who reacted sharply to get down to the ball.
Harry Limb then had the ball in the back of the net again, only to be denied a hat-trick by the linesman’s flag, before at the other end Adam Clayton slid in Ryan Watson. But Barnes made good ground and smothered his effort.
With less than five minutes remaining Matlock could have extended their lead on the counter with a three on two situation, but Limb went looking for his third and curled wide when perhaps the pass was the better option.
Farsley huffed and puffed in the remaining minutes, but were unable to break down a stout Matlock defence, and the visitors were ultimately deserving of their three points. The Celts will look to go again on Saturday as they travel to Mickleover.
Farsley Celtic: McKibbin, L. Turner, Baldwin, Watson, Harris, Clayton, B. Atkinson (C. Atkinson 71), N. Turner, Ellis ©, Cartman, Parkin (Murray 71). Unused subs: Walker, Quirke, Trenerry (GK).
Matlock Town: Barnes, Yeomans, Doyle-Charles, Yates ©, Wiley, Jackson (Marlon-Ondone- Mba 86), Wallace, Limb, Vince, Cribley. Unused subs: Massey, Templeton, Wood, Pierrepoint (GK).
MOTM: Harry Limb
Attendance: 141