By John Baron. Photos: John McEvoy
Farsley Celtic slipped to their first pre-season defeat as they were swept away in a first half deluge by a strong FC Halifax Town side.
Playing their first home pre season friendly following draws at Brighouse and Silsden, the new-look Celts saw themselves 4-0 down at half-time against National League full timers and FA Trophy winners Halifax.
Goals from a trialist (after just three minutes), two from Aaron Cosgrave and one from Jamie Cooke helped the Shaymen to a comfortable victory on a very wet afternoon.
The Celts are much-changed since avoiding relegation on a dramatic final day of last season. Bedding 11 new players in under a new management team and a new possession-based playing style was always going to take time, and fans at The Citadel saw the side was very much a work in progress yesterday.
Although the visitors came close on several occasions in the second half, The Celts will take a crumb of comfort from holding their more illustrious neighbours in the second 45, with players getting more minutes under their belt.
The Celts entertain Huddersfield Town B next Saturday, then York City the following Tuesday. By the time they make the short trip to Guiseley for the last pre-season friendly on July 29 Clayton Donaldson and assistant Danny Ellis will be hoping the team will have settled in.
Line-up
Farsley Celtic: Harry Allen, Lewis Turner, George Smith, Jordan Carroll, Connor Branson, Rudy Misambo, Darren Stephenson, Chris Atkinson, Clayton Donaldson, Ben Atkinson, Marley Blair.
Subs used: Liam Sullivan (GK), Jeremy Milambo, Joao Silva, Jayden Major, Nario Baptista, Jacob McLoughlin.
FC Halifax Town: Sam Johnson (Tom Scott 46), Adam Senior (Jordan Keane), Jamie Stott, Trialist (Tom Clarke 46), Jack Hunter, Trialist (Trialist 46), Millenic Alli, Jamie Cooke, Ryan Galvin, Tylor Golden, Aaron Cosgrave
After 60 mins: Tom Scott, Jordan Keane, Tom Clarke, Trialist, Ted Lavelle, Andrew Oluwabori, Angelo Cappello, Rob Harker, Trialist, Trialist, Trialist.
