Farsley Celtic were seconds away from producing a huge upset over Tamworth in a thrilling cup tie at Throstle Nest but Dan Newton, newly of Jamie Vardy’s V9 Academy, struck late to break Celtic hearts, writes Thomas Ritchie.
Chances were at a premium in the first half that was played in a deep fog, the best opportunity falling to Steve Tomassen who forced Graeme McKibbin to make a sharp save.
However the game sprung to life in the second half, Jed Davies and Louis Briscoe both coming close to breaking the deadlock for Tamworth, before Farsley took the lead.
The ball fell to Celts’ striker James Walshaw in the box and from a tight angle he fired home past James Belshaw. Farsley then looked for a second and Walshaw hit the bar with a cute effort before Paul Walker’s follow up was superbly saved by Belshaw.
Lewis Nightingale forced Belshaw into another save moments later as his low strike was pushed away from the bottom corner. Steve Tomassen drew Tamworth level with a superb half volley from the edge of the box that flew into the bottom corner.
With time running out Celts’ ‘keeper Graeme McKibbin made a smart save to deny Briscoe, before Jacob Hazel fired Farsley into the lead.
Richard Marshall laid the ball off to Hazel who from 25 yards out curled a sensational strike worthy of winning any game into the top left corner.
From a Tamworth corner Farsley managed to clear the ball off the line following a scramble in the box, however it wasn’t to be for Farsley.
Tamworth struck a cruel blow in the fourth minute of added time, substitute Dan Newton firing a low shot past McKibbin, meaning the two sides will go at it again on Tuesday.
Farsley Celtic: McKibbin, Hardy, Howarth, Turner, Savory, Miller (c), Nightingale (P. Davidson 88), Daly (Marshall 79), Walshaw, Deacey (Hazel 79), Walker. Unused subs: Clayton, Lofthouse (GK).
Tamworth FC: Belshaw (c), Burns, Tomassen, Smith, Jones, Lane, Briscoe, Clarke (Newton 61), Taylor (Opoku 67), Dyer, Davies. Unused subs: Morley, Wright, Jezeph.
MOTM: James Walshaw
Attendance: 227