By John Baron
Farsley Celtic continued their unbeaten pre-season campaign with a drab goalless draw at FC United of Manchester.
Pre-season is all about building fitness, and the match will have proven useful to Clayton Donaldson’s side as they continue their preparations for the season ahead. As a spectacle it fell mostly flat.
Both teams struggled to create much in terms of goalmouth action, particularly in the first half, while The Celts’ impressive trialist goalkeeper pulled off three strong saves late in the game to keep a well-earned clean sheet.
Farsley forward Robbie Fox came just a couple of inches from breaking the deadlock early in the second half, but his curling attempt was just wide of the post.
Farsley’s keeper saved one on one as FC United pressed. And as the game entered the final 15 minutes he came to his side’s rescue with a stunning save to tip a curling shot around the post and then push a rasping drive over the bar.
Farsley created their own chances late on. Fox fired into the side netting from a tight angle, Alex Kiwonya was denied by a superb defensive tackle when through on goal and another Kiwonya effort flew straight into the arms of the opposition goalkeeper.
Dylan Youmbi saw his header from Lewis Turner’s cross pushed away by the home goalkeeper. An ensuing goal-mouth scramble saw the Farsley forwards fail to get the ball over the line when a goal looked certain.
A late Farsley goal would have been tough on the hosts who gave their National League North opponents a good work out ahead of the season opener on 10 August.
The visiting Celt Army were in good voice and good humour and enjoyed their trip over the Pennines – especially the impressive local delicacy known as the Bombay Butty, which features meat and potato pie, a spicy lamb samosa and curry sauce in a bread bun!
Farsley’s pre-season friendly on Saturday at Bradford Park Avenue has been postponed due to work at Bradford’s ground.
Farsley Celtic: Trialist, Walker (Youmbi 70), Sloane (Allan 67), Branson, Assenso (Misambo 70), Watson (Turner 45), Fox, B Atkinson (Greenfield 70), Campton-Sturridge (Fielding 70), Mampala, Stephenson (Kiwomya 70).
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