By John Baron
Farsley Celtic’s seven-match unbeaten came to an end at top-of-the-table AFC Fylde – but Celts boss Russ Wilcox hailed his side’s ‘outstanding’ second half performance.
The 3-1 defeat – with all the goals coming in the first half – leaves the visitors second from bottom in the National League North but equal on points with two other sides and just two points from safety with games in hand over their rivals.
Despite a lively start from the visitors, the home side’s opening goal came after just ten minutes. Fylde’s Siya Ligendza was deemed to have beaten the offside trap and expertly headed over Farsly keeper Max Dearnley and into the net.
Bad went to worse soon after. A well-worked corner routine that saw Nick Haughton pick out Connor Barrett’s late run, his low shot finding the back of the net.
The visitors are always a danger from set pieces, and tonight was no exception. Farsley managed to grab one back through a Tom Allen header from Bobby Johnson’s corner.
But Farsley faced an uphill challenge just before half time, when substitute Will Hatfield made an instant impact, following up on the rebound from Haughton’s effort to add his side’s third.
To their credit, the minnows from Farsley started the second half well, when Mulhern sent Scales racing away, but his strike was parried to safety by Fylde ‘keeper Neal. Carlton Ubaezuonu then flashed a ball across the face of goal as the Celts looked to get back into the game against their more illustrious hosts.
On the hour mark Farsley’s Adam Clayton headed just over from a Bobby Johnson corner as the visitors piled forward.
Danny Philliskirk drove a strike just wide for Fylde on 64 minutes and a few minutes’ later Fylde’s Haughton latched onto Barrett’s pass and hit a strike towards the top corner, which Dearnley did well to save. That was the last action of note as the game finished 3-1 to the hosts.
Having played six of their last eight matches away from home, The Celts will be looking forward to returning to The Citadel on Saturday as they entertain bottom club Telford in a must-win game ahead of next Tuesday’s difficult trip to second-placed Kings Lynn Town.
The Celts then head to Gateshead in the fifth round of the FA Trophy on Saturday, 11 March, before entertaining fellow relegation strugglers Leamington in another crunch home game on Tuesday, 14 March.
Match reaction
Celts boss Russ Wilcox praised ‘outstanding’ second half performance but lamented the ‘cheap goals’ his side gave away the first half:
Lineups
AFC Fylde: Neal; Obi, Whitmore, Conlan, Cranston (Davis, 76), Barrett (Walker, 73), Philliskirk, Haughton, Whitehead, Ligendza, Faal (Hatfield, 44). Unused subs: Malone, Rowley.
Farsley Celtic: Dearnley, Turner, Scales (Wallace, 80), Johnson, Butler, Allan, Clayton, Atkinson, Ubaezuonu, Mulhern (Williams, 60), Devine (Jessop, 73). Unused Subs: Parkin, Butroid.
Williams signs for Farsley Celtic
Just before tonight’s game, Farsley Celtic announced the signing of Theo Williams on a one-month loan deal from Sheffield United.
The pacy midfielder/forward has been with the Blades since his early teens, making his debut for their Under 23s side at the age of 15.
Williams originally started off life as a full-back or winger, but has now found himself at home in midfield and as a striker in the U18s and U23s.
The 19-year-old has already gained National League North experience having spent time on loan at Darlington this season, featuring for the Quakers on seven occasions.
Williams made his debut on the hour mark tonight, coming on as substitute for the injured Frank Mulhern at AFC Fylde.
