Farsley Celtic bounced back from their disappointing Boxing Day defeat to Ossett Town by beating Tadcaster Albion 5-1 with an impressive performance, writes Thomas Ritchie.
Tadcaster started on the front foot and should have taken the lead inside the first minute. Josh Barrett had his shot saved before Tom Allan had his header cleared off the line by Aiden Savory.
Tadcaster continued to press and Tom Corner had a great chance as he powered a free header against the crossbar following a terrific cross by Rob Youhill, before the ball fell to Conor Sellars. He failed to get a shot away and Celtic ‘keeper Graeme McKibbin smothered the ball.
Farsley started to grow into the game as the half progressed and had their first opportunity as a superb Paul Walker cross was headed just over by James Walshaw.
Richard Marshall then gave Farsley the lead as he was played in by Ross Daly and his tame shot rolled through the legs of Tadcaster ‘keeper Gary Stevens and into the goal.
Marshall almost bagged his second shortly after as James Walshaw flicked the ball onto him in the box and his volley was well saved by Stevens.
Farsley dominated the second half as Tadcaster struggled to create many clear cut opportunities and they could have doubled their lead through Marshall again.
Jordan Deacey’s corner was deftly flicked goalwards by Marshall using his head before Tadcaster bundled the ball off the line and to safety.
Midway through the second half Farsley doubled their lead as James Walshaw turned home Deacey’s cross at the near post.
But Tadcaster were immediately given a lifeline as Adam Clayton’s back pass fell short and was intercepted by Tom Allan, who rounded McKibbin and slotted home.
Celtic then re-established their two goal advantage after some great work by Paul Walker which saw him beat two players before his low cross was eventually bundled in by Marshall.
Walshaw then made it four in the final minute of normal time as substitute Ryan Watson played the ball into him before he turned and fired home into the bottom corner.
Deep into added time the icing was added to the cake as Walshaw secured his third hat-trick of the season, Lewis Nightingale playing a superb through ball before Walshaw delightfully dinked the ball over Stevens to cap a fine afternoon for Farsley.
Farsley Celtic: McKibbin, Hardy (c), Howarth, Turner, Clayton, Savory, Marshall (Nightingale 83), Daly (P. Davidson 77), Walshaw, Deacey (Watson 77), Walker. Unused subs: A. Davidson, Lofthouse (GK).
Tadcaster Albion: Stevens, Mycoe, Grant, Barrett, Allan, Thirkell, Youhill (Ibrahimi 82), Armstrong, Corner (Josh Greening 68), Sellars (Jonathan Greening 68), Baker. Unused subs: Shepherd
MOTM: James Walshaw
Attendance: 313