By John Baron
Farsley Celtic came away from the world’s oldest football ground with a 3-1 win to secure their place in the third qualifying round of the FA Cup.
But the Celts were forced to fight for their win at Sandywell by a committed Hallam side who gave it a good go, despite being three leagues below them. The game was held in Sheffield due to delays surrounding the installation of a new artificial pitch at Farsley’s Citadel ground.
Emerging Talent Squad rookie Liam Wilson made his first start for Farsley in goal in what was otherwise a full strength Farsley starting 11.
The visitors were 2-0 up within the opening 20 minutes thanks to goals from Tom Allan and Darren Stephenson, but the home side pulled one back when a hopeful ball into the area looped over keeper Wilson.
Stephenson added a spectacular third for Farsley 15 minutes from time. The hosts pressed hard to get back into the game and hit the crossbar late on.
The game started well for the visitors. Tom Allan bundled home from close range following a goalmouth scramble on seven minutes after Manny Mampala failed to convert.
And when striker Darren Stephenson raced free of the Hallam defence to coolly slot home on 18 minutes, it looked like it might be a comfortable afternoon for the National League North side.
But Hallam pulled one back on 25 minutes. Former Czech Republic international Daniel Pudil punted the ball into the Farsley area from a good 30 yards out. His effort looped over keeper Liam Wilson and under the crossbar to send the home fans into raptures.
The second half was largely a scrappy affair.
On 58 minutes Ben Atkinson’s shot from the edge of the box was palmed wide by the Hallam goalkeeper. Then, with 15 minutes remaining, Darren Stephenson grabbed his second of the game in spectacular style, as he fired into the top corner from just inside the box.
But the home side weren’t ready to throw in the towel.
On 83 minutes they were almost back in it when a shot from Allan was spilled by young keeper Wilson, but the rebound was somehow put over the bar by Ward from three yards out.
Hallam came even closer to pulling one back in the 89th minute when Salt’s shot on the turn cannoned back off the Farsley crossbar.
The Celts will have been happy to avoid a potential banana skin against tough lower league opponents. Manager Pav Singh, who has secured two wins and a draw from three away games following the departure of head coach Clayton Donaldson, will be looking forward to tomorrow’s Emirates FA Cup Third Qualifying draw..
Farsley return to league action on Saturday (3pm) when they play Leamington in a ‘home’ game which will be played ay Alfreton’s Impact Arena due to Farsley’s pitch being out of action.
- Farsley Celtic Women today slipped to a 1-0 defeat at Skipton.
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