By Josh Makin. Additional reporting: John Baron
Photos: Simon Cullingworth
Farsley Celtic maintained their unbeaten start to the season with a hard-fought 1-1 draw with Lancashire side Chorley, despite finishing the match with ten men.
The Celts got off to the dream start when a throw-in from George Smith was headed on by Tom Allan which was then bundled in on the goal line by Farsley midfielder Ryan Watson for his first league goal since returning to The Citadel in the summer.
Chorley responded instantly when Justin Johnson found himself one on one with Zan-Luk Leban before slotting past the Slovenian to level the score.
Man of the match Leban was busy throughout the afternoon and had to be called into action on the 20-minute when Jack Sampson’s header from point-blank range looked to be going in before the Everton loanee produced a top-class save to keep it 1-1.
Marley Blair would go closest for Farsley for the remainder of the half with an audacious volley from outside the box which narrowly sailed over the bar.
The second half was a calmer affair compared to the first 15 minutes of the match with neither side coming too close to going in front, except for Johnson who got through on goal once again just after the interval before firing high and wide.
The Celts were then dealt a blow with five minutes of regular time to play when Allan was sent off for what what the referee and linesman perceived as ‘violent conduct’ when running into the back of Chorley defender Scott Wilson.
Despite the disadvantage of going a man down, Farsley dug in to earn a well-fought point at The Citadel, and could have snatched it late on, with Bradford loanee Robinson cutting inside well but his shot was tipped over by the Chorley keeper.
It’s a quick turnaround now for Clayton Donaldson’s side as Farsley are back at The Citadel on Tuesday night where they face newly promoted South Shields with a kick-off time of 7.45pm.
Line ups
Farsley Celtic: Leban, Wilson, Smooth, Branson, Allan, Sheridan, Watson, C Atkinson, B Atkinson, Stevenson, Blair. Subs: Robinson Hllen, Donaldson, Carroll, Silva.
Chorley FC: Urwin, Henley, Ellis, Wilson, Blakeman, Calverley, Sampsoin, Nolan, Hazlehurst, Johnson’s, Whitehouse. Subs: Smith, Tomlinson, Brition, Shenton, Ubaezuonu.
Match reaction
Farsley head coach Clayton Donaldson four-point return from the first two matches of the season.
Minute’s silence
The match started with a minute’s silence to mark the passing of Farsley vice president Margaret Lobley.
Sponsored content
