Farsley Celtic 1-2 Droylsden

By James Grayson

After all the euphoria from Saturday Celtic came crashing back down to earth with a home defeat to now relegated Droylsden.

John Deacey had to put together a slightly make-shift side together as injuries crippled him. Andy Watson – originally in the starting line-up pulled up in the warm-up so Roy Stamer replaced him. Captain Amjad Iqbal wasn’t risked so Mark Jackson went at centre-half and Scott McNiven returned from illness. In the centre of midfield Simeon Bambrook replaced Craig Bentham who has gone back to Bradford City.

Celtic got off to a diastratious start as Droylsden took the lead from a corner on 12 minutes. The corner came into the box and Kevin LYNCH stuck his head on the ball and despite Stamer being on the post, the ball ended up in the back of the net.

However fears were eased soon when Damian Reeves was put through on goal. Jackson launched the ball over the defence and REEVES easily ran ahead of them. He then took a touch before volleying the ball into the back of the net.

Celtic were now back in the game and on 20 minutes Rory Prendergast smashed the ball at goal but a deflection took it wide. Eight minutes later Georges Santos cleared a very dangerous Steve Halford free kick with his head.

The game turned sour on 38 minutes as Mark Jackson was stretched off with at the time a suspected broken ankle. John Deacey had to again make some changes to his side, he decided to put Scott McNiven at centre half and Ryan Serrant replaced Jackson.

Just before the break, Terry Fearns headed wide from close range. The cross was dangerous and Fearns should have done better.

HT 1-1

Straight after the break, Stamer unleashed a powerful 25 yard effort which had to be tipped over the bar by Paul Phillips.

Celtic were creating openings but not taking them and Lee Tuck was brought on for Stamer just after the hour mark. Tuck brought life into Celtic and the Droylsden defenders didn’t know what to do with him. On 67 minutes a Reeves long range effort was saved by Phillips and David McNiven’s rebound shot went just wide.

James Knowles - back in the side went on a 30 yard run on 72 minutes, he passed to Reeves who then fired wide. Four minutes later, Droylsden’s Robbie Talbot should have put the Manchester side ahead. Serrant attempted to head the ball clear but it went towards his own goal. Talbot latched onto the ball and when he bared down on Curtis Aspden, Talbot fired wide.

Droylsden were to get their first away win of the season thanks to a goal on 85 minutes. A ‘dodgy’ free kick was won in the corner which Ashley Burberry took and FEARNS headed home.

FT 1-2

Farsley Celtic: Aspden, Downes, Jackson (Ryan Serrant 41), Santos, Scott McNiven, Stamer (Tuck 66), Knowles, Bambrook, Prendergast, Reeves, David McNiven, Ryan Serrant (Heath 88). Subs Not Used: Watson, Torpey.

Droylsden: Phillips, Roche, Munroe, Halford, Newton, Lynch (Murphy 77), Mackin, Burberry, McGuire (Talbot 69), Fearns (Strong 90), Denham. Subs Not Used: Dugdale, Ellis.

Attendance: 480

Referee: RJ West (Hull).