By John Baron
Farsley Celtic fell to their first defeat in four league and cup matches in their first ‘home’ game of the season – played 67 miles away from Farsley.
The Celts played what was technically a home game at Alfreton FC’s Impact Arena, in Derbyshire, due to stalled work on laying a new artificial pitch at The Citadel. All eight of Farsley’s previous league games were played away from home.
The Impact Arena hasn’t been a lucky hunting ground for the nomadic Celts over the years, and their last defeat there was just three weeks ago with a last-gasp 2-1 reverse in Clayton Donaldson’s final game as head coach.
In truth, Farsley didn’t deserve to lose yesterday and were good for a share of the points in a game where they arguably had the better chances.
Substitute Anthony Lynn’s second-half looping header was enough to secure a tight 1-0 victory for the Worcestershire side as Farsley struggled to find the net, mainly thanks to the highly rated Callum Hawkins in the Leamington goal.
The first half was fairly even in terms of play, but Farsley created by far the better openings.
Bailey Sloane’s first-time effort from the edge of the area on ten minutes was hit low and hard, forcing a save from Hawkins.
Ten minutes later Darren Stephenson left a Leamington defender on the floor with some tricky footwork before his shot was superbly pushed away by the diving goalkeeper.
The returning DJ Campton-Sturridge was next to go close with a volley which just flashed over the crossbar.
The closest Farsley would come to taking the lead in the first half came through Danny Greenfield in stoppage time when his free-kick from a tight angle forced Hawkins to tip the ball over the bar.
The second half saw fewer chances and Leamington having more of the play. The returning Tom Wooster made a decent stop at the second attempt to prevent the ‘visitors’ taking the lead.
They continued to grow into the game and eventually got themselves in front with 20 minutes remaining. Lynn, who had only been on the pitch for a matter of moments, met a cross with a looping header which beat Manchester United loanee Wooster.
Farsley came close to equalising in spectacular fashion minutes later when Danny Greenfield’s audacious volley from the edge of the penalty area flew just over the bar.
Substitute Sam Fielding, who put in an impressive cameo, almost found a leveller late on when his powerful first-time drive again called Hawkins into a fine diving save to preserve Leamington’s clean sheet.
The game was an odd one for spectators. There looked to be fewer than 100 in attendance and the game, at least in its initial stages, felt a bit like a pre-season friendly due to the lack of atmosphere.
Farsley will be hoping they’ve played their last game of the season at The Impact Arena as all eyes turn to the Citadel pitch.
Planning permission was granted in mid-June for a new state-of the art 4G pitch which bosses hope will prove transformative for the club.
As previously reported by WLD, chairman Paul Barthorpe has said work was due to start week commencing Monday, 23 September on sorting ‘historic’ issues which have apparently delayed the laying of the new pitch.
Construction work on laying the actual pitch is due to start a week on Monday (30 September) with the new playing surface ready for the Spennymoor home game on 19 October, with the following home game due to follow just three days later against Peterborough Sports.
Reaction
Manager Pav Singh said he was disappointed with the result, saying yesterday’s game changed on one key moment.
Next match
The Celts return to FA Cup action next Saturday in a third qualifying round tie at Wythenshawe Town (12.30pm). The match is being televised live on BBC iPlayer/red button.
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