By Thomas Ritchie
Farsley Celtic picked up a first win away from home since the opening day of the season with a superb 2-1 victory over playoff-chasing Curzon Ashton.
While there may have been an element of fortune about the opening goal from Farsley ‘keeper Kyle Trenerry, there wasn’t about the victory, with the Celts the dominant side throughout the 90 minutes.
In truth, it was a scoreline that flattered the hosts, who are now managed by former Farsley boss Adam Lakeland. Farsley had numerous chances to add to Trenerry’s and Dave Syers’ first-half efforts, but ultimately those goals proved to be enough.
It could have been a different story had the hosts capitalised on the first opening of the afternoon, but Trenerry made a smart save to push away a strong strike from Tom Peers.
The Farsley number one would soon be affecting things at the other end of the pitch, as he gave his side the lead in dramatic fashion. A long clearance from well inside his own half was misjudged by Curzon shot-stopper Chris Renshaw, who could only stand and watch as the ball bounced and drifted over him into the goal.
From that moment Farsley kicked on, and it was almost two midway through the opening period when Luke Parkin struck the crossbar from 25-yards out, after initial good work from recent signing Frank Mulhern.
The second goal would soon arrive, and it would be the Celts’ skipper Dave Syers who fired his side into a deserved 2-0 lead. Farsley worked the ball well down the right to Lewis Turner, who stood up a cross to the back post, where Syers was waiting to nod home.
Despite no longer having the wind advantage after the interval, it continued to be Farsley who took the game to their opponents.
Sam Walker saw a low effort from distance tipped wide by Renshaw, before a rasping half-volley from Syers produced another excellent stop from the Nash ‘keeper.
The hosts set up a nervy final 10 minutes after pulling a goal back from nothing, Tom Peers breaking into the box down the left and driving an excellent strike into the back of the net.
Despite that strike, Curzon were unable to push on, and failed to trouble the Farsley goal in the closing minutes. In fact, it was Farsley who could have scored again, substitutes Jacob Gratton and Harry Jessop linking up as the latter fired a strike inches over.
However, it wasn’t an opportunity Russ Wilcox’s side would be left to rue, holding on to secure a vital victory, and make it four points from their two-game road trip in the league.
Curzon Ashton: Renshaw, Challoner, Flowers, Curran, Peers, Dimiao (Knowles 46 (Hobson 69)), Wilson, Richards, Mahon ©, Barton, Mariette (Thomas 46). Unused subs: Lussey, Teale.
Farsley Celtic: Trenerry, Turner, Digie, Clayton, Butroid, Atkinson, Walker, Parkin (Gratton 84), Syers (Greaves 90+1), Hayhurst (Jessop 90+1), Mulhern. Unused subs: Westcarr (GK), Malumo.