Farsley Celtic’s poor run continues at Boston United

By John Baron

Kelsey Mooney’s second hat-trick of the week gave Boston United a deserved 3-0 win against a Farsley Celtic side suffering their third defeat in seven days.

Mooney, who rattled four in his team’s 7-3 win at hapless Gloucester last week, was again in fine form as the home side moved back into the playoff places.

The Celts, on the other hand, have recorded only one win from their last nine league games, and in the 15 games since their win against Gloucester on 23 December they’ve managed three victories, scoring just 12 times. After spending much of he season in mid-table, they currently sit five points above the National League North drop zone in 19th position, with seven games remaining.

Yesterday was an improved performance on Tuesday night’s abject surrender against Warrington.

For the first half hour The Celts looked solid, well organised and had matched their in-form opponents in a game of few chances.

The match changed on a mistake on the half-hour mark when Mooney turned the normally reliable Rudy Misambo to hand United a 30th-minute lead, his low strike going in off Leban’s right-hand post.

The home side were indebted to goalkeeper Cameron Gregory on the stroke of half-time, with the Boston stopper denying Darren Stephenson when through on goal following Jack Evans’ astute pass. The save would prove costly for the visitors.

Boston then had a couple of opportunities to extend their lead as the game opened up before the half time whistle blew.

Early in the second half Mooney grabbed his second when he headed home Martin Woods’ free-kick six minutes after half-time and then exchanged passes with Michael Gyasi six minutes from time to seal his hat-trick. Tellingly, Mooney’s tally in the last two games eclipses the number of goals scored between them by experienced Farsley forwards Michael Coulson and Clayton Donaldson all season.

The Celts had their share of possession and fired several efforts over the bar. They’ll be buoyed by the first starts in several months of Darren Stephenson – who showed some decent touches – and defender Harry Sheridan, but their small squad is stretched by injuries as the season enters a critical phase of the season.

Keeper Zan Luk Leban – arguably Farsley’s player of the season so far – will be on international duty for next Saturday’s game at Hereford and The Celts’ management team will be hoping for a dramatic return to form in what are arguably seven ‘cup finals’ before the end of the season.

Line ups

Boston United: Cameron Gregory; Jai Rowe, Michael Bostwick, Brad Nicholson; Sam Smart (Michael Gyasi 80), Dylan Hill, Martin Woods, Ethan Sephton (Lucien Mahovo 82); Keaton Ward (Deji Sotona 86); Kelsey Mooney, Jimmy Knowles. Subs (not used): Keziah Martin, Sam Essien. 

Farsley Celtic: Zan-Luk Leban; Harry Sheridan, Rudy Misambo, Tom Allan; Sam Leverett (Ryan Watson 79), Ben Atkinson (Jordan Carroll 87), Conor Branson, Jack Evans, Lewis Turner; Michael Coulson, Darren Stephenson (Clayton Donaldson 74). Subs (not used): Chris Atkinson, Harry Allen (gk). 

Referee: Tommy Breen.

Attendance: 1,522 (30 visitors).