Battling Farsley Celtic slipped to an unlucky 2-1 defeat at big-spending Buxton in a game they should have come away with a creditable draw.
Despite a generally impressive performance, The Celts will feel they only have themselves to blame – gifting their full-time opponents two disastrous goals and failing to convert a host of second-half chances.
Gaffer Clayton Donaldson said after the game: “I’m disappointed because we definitely deserved something from the game. It was a game of two halves.”
The hosts were a goal to the good at the break after Ben Sault capitalized on a defensive mix-up to score, but a much-improved Farsley levelled the scores 14 minutes from time through Ben Atkinson.
The Celts twice hit the woodwork in the second half and missed a number of other chances. Their profligacy eventually proved costly when a goalkeeping error following Josh Popoola’s header seven minutes from the final whistle secured the points for Buxton.
The Celts were dealt with an early blow when defender Aidan Walker suffered a reoccurrence of his arm injury sustained during the opening day win at Rushall Olympic.
After a closely-contested opening 20 minutes which saw both defences on top, Farsley carved out the first dangerous chance of the match. A free kick had been cleared to the edge of the area where Danny Greenfield was waiting, but his shot flew just wide of the upright.
On 22 minutes, a defensive mix upbetween Tom Allan and Lewis Turner saw Buxton captain Connor Kirby pick up the ball and square to the ball to Sault, who slotted into an empty goal to put them ahead.
Celts’ on-loan keeper Tom Wooster was called into action twice on the 36th minute as an excellent double-save saw him deny Sault and then Ethan Fitzhugh, before a further save against Popoola three minutes later as the visitors pressed.
Farsley started the second half on the front foot and were unfortunate not to draw level after a quick-fire double set of chances. Firstly, a free kick was drifted into the box and Tom Allan’s snapshot on the turn was claimed by the goalkeeper and then shortly after, Danny Greenfield showed great footwork to find Ben Atkinson, but his shot was deflected over for a corner.
And the visitors came even closer on 68 minutes as the ball was crossed in from the right but Allan’s header crashed against the crossbar in a chance which the defender will feel he should have converted.
Farsley were playing some good football and the pressure finally paid off on 76 minutes as a corner was flicked on to Atkinson, who saw his header clip the base of the post before creeping over the line, for his second goal in as many games.
Farsley were the more dangerous side at this stage and came agonizingly close to taking the lead on 81 minutes as a trademark Ryan Watson strike from more 30 yards smashed against the crossbar. It would have been an early contender for goal of the season had it found the back of the net
The double-woodwork strike made Buxton’s second and eventual winner all the more painful for the travelling Farsley faithful.
A stretched Celts defence saw Popoola get enough space to head home from Elliott’s cross, with the assistant referee adjudging the ball to have crossed the line before it was claimed by young keeper Wooster, who appeared to be struggling with an injury.
The Celts had a late, late chance deep into stoppage time to grab back a point as Connor Branson swung in an overhead kick from the bi-line right back into the danger-zone but Buxton goalkeeper Grant was able to scramble the ball clear from the goalmouth as the Bucks took all three points.
Despite the result, this was an encouraging performance by The Celts – particularly in the second half – against a full time team which will be hoping for promotion to the National League next April.
Reaction
Mixed emotions for gaffer Clayton Donaldson, who felt the Celts were good for a point based on their second half display, but lamented giving away two sloppy goals:
Line up
Farsley Celtic: Wooster, Walker (Branson 17), Misambo, Allan, Turner, Greenfield, B Atkinson, Fielding (Sloane 65), Watson, Mampala (Youmbi 62), Donaldson (Stephenson 85).
Sub not used: Leverett.
Next up
Next up for the Celts is a trip to Marine on Tuesday night (7.45pm). It’s the third of at least eight consecutive away fixtures, and Farsley fans will be hoping for positive news on work re-starting on installing a new artificial pitch at The Citadel on Monday evening.
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