By John Baron
Farsley Celtic’s unbeaten home record continued in a creditable 0-0 draw against a King’s Lynn side which last season only narrowly missed out on promotion.
Clayton Donaldson’s men have four draws to their name at home this season – but will be left wondering how missed chances cost them all three points against their more illustrious opponents.
The Celts almost got off to a dream start, when Ben Atkinson’s shot was palmed away by visiting keeper Jones, his first of a series of fine first-half stops. The Celts had the ball in the net just two minutes later but the goal was ruled out for offside and shortly after that Farsley keeper Leban made a solid stop to prevent Town taking the lead.
Farsley talisman Donaldson, who is still without a goal this season, should have done better when he failed to control a through ball, and Connor Branson had a rasping shot which stung Jones’s hands.
The chances continued to come, and The Celts will have been disappointed to reach half time goalless.
The second half saw the visitors start the brighter, with both teams testing their counterpart’s goalkeeper.
Tom Allan almost won it for the Celts in the 91st minute, when his glancing header went just wide. And there was still time for King’s Lynn to have a penalty shout turned down at the other end on 96 minutes.
The new-look Celts recorded their fourth home draw of the season against difficult opponents, and have started the season well, with just one defeat in their first seven games, leaving them 11th in the table.
The Celts face back to back away fixtures, with trips to Blyth Spartans on Tuesday and then a long trip down to Gloucester on Saturday.
Line ups
Farsley Celtic: Leban, Leckie, Smith, Branson, Misabo, Allan, Carroll, C Atkinson, Donaldson (Silva 79), B Atkinson (Robinson 89), Stephenson. Subs: Acquah, Leverett, Sheridan.
Booked: B. Atkinson, C. Atkinson, Smith.
King’s Lynn: Jones, Oke, Coulson, McFadden, Smith, Hughes (Fatjado 64), Spence, Isaacson, Stephens (Ponticelli 46), Barrett, Cybulski (Bartley 78). Subs: Sandford, Twite.
Booked: Stephens, Oke, Fatado.
Sam Leverett signs from Swansea
20-year-old midfielder Sam Leverett joined Farsley Celtic on Friday on a permanent contract from Championship side Swansea City.
Leverett progressed through the Leeds United Academy until the age of 18 where he signed pro terms with Swansea City, where he has been a stand-out performer in their U23s squad ever since.
Chairman Paul Barthorpe said: “This is a real coup for us, Sam had a number of options, so him deciding to become part of the project we are developing here is very pleasing for what we are trying to achieve.
“Sam is a talented young player with a good pedigree and proven track record and is one we are very happy to get over the line!”
Pav Singh, director of football, added: “Sam is a creative ball-playing midfielder with great vision, a good range of passing and a superb left foot. He will bring energy and the ability to play that all important killer ball to our midfield.
“He fits perfectly with our recruitment strategy, and we believe will be a very effective member of the squad.”
The Celts also announced the signing of 19-year-old goalkeeper Michael Acquah from Huddersfield Town on a. month-long loan. The keeper will provide cover while first choice Zan Luk Leban has been called up on international duty for Slovenia under 21s for the next two matches.
Injury hit Celts defender Isaac Assenso joined Liversedge on a month’s loan this week in a bid to gain some match fitness.
He was joined by left-sided forward Marley Blair, who signed for The Celts from the Icelandic league in the summer but who has struggled to impress. It is hoped that regular game time will allow Blair to adapt to the physical nature of National League North.
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