Exeter City 2-1 Farsley Celtic

By James Grayson

 

Two controversial goals from set pieces, an injury to Georges Santos and an extraordinary performance from the referee all went against Celtic as they came away from Exeter empty handed.

However plenty of positives can be taken. A side aiming for promotion were at one point rattled and the crowd were on their backs. David McNiven who came on as a sub, scored with his first touch to get Celtic back in the game.

John Deacey had to make one change from his side that beat Woking last week. Scott Gardner suffered a back injury and has now gone back to Leeds. Andy Watson was brought into replace him.

Celtic started brightly but in the opening eight minutes they were unable to force a chance. This is when Exeter created their first chance. Dean Moxey tried his luck from 30 yards, Amjad Iqbal blocked the shot but the ball cannoned towards his own net. However his blushes were spared when the ball went just wide.

Disaster struck on 12 minutes when key player Georges Santos had to be replaced due to an injury to his eye. James Knowles came on for him and this led to a number of positional changes.

On 20 minutes Celtic were awarded a free kick 30 yards out. Scott McNiven’s free kick went just over. But a minute later Celtic were behind. The referee, Mr Watts awarded a bizarre free kick against Iqbal in a dangerous area. When the kick was eventually taken, the game turned into a game of pinball. The ball was eventually turned into the net by DANNY SEABORNE.

Celtic fell even further behind thanks to another game of pinball on 33 minutes. This time it was a corner and again it was a scramble. In the scramble, there seemed to be a handball, however, not surprisingly Mr Watts didn’t see it. But eventually the ball was turned in by MATT TAYLOR.

A goal before half-time for Celtic would have been handy, Watson had the chance. On 37 minutes, Damian Reeves laid on Watson who then from 16 yards cutely passed the ball towards the back of the net. The keeper was beaten but luck didn’t hold and the ball went just wide.

On 40 minutes Scott McNiven was yellow carded for a supposed push – something or nothing.

Reeves should have probably pulled one back on 44 minutes when he beat the two centre-backs and raced in on goal. Reeves’ run alerted the goalkeeper who raced out of his goal. Reeves then lobbed the keeper but again the ball wouldn’t go in and it trickled just wide. In stoppage time Craig Bentham was bizarrely yellow carded for a challenge when he clearly won the ball in.

HT 2-0

Celtic didn’t give up and their second half performance got Exeter and their supporters rattled.

Firstly on 49 minutes, target man Steve Torpey chested the ball down for Bentham to volley over from long range. Three minutes later from Watson’s cross, Knowles headed straight at the keeper.

Exeter could have and probably should have put the game to bed on 58 minutes. Richard Logan was left unmarked on the left side of the penalty area and the ball was played to him. He took a touch and then unleashed a powerful effort which forced Curtis Aspden to make a great save by tipping the ball over the crossbar.

Celtic brought on Roy Stamer on 59 minutes and then David McNiven on 62 minutes. The two substitutes then went and combined to put Celtic right back in the game. Stamer, playing at left-back played the ball up to McNiven 18 yards out with his back to goal. MCNIVEN turned his defender and then shot for goal and beating the advancing goalkeeper; a great debut!

The goal put Exeter on the ropes and on 70 minutes Bentham volleyed just over again from long range.

Mr Watts was involved in controversy again on 77 minutes when he made history by becoming the first referee to invent a rule during a game. David McNiven retreated 15 yards after a free kick was given against Celtic. The referee then insisted that McNiven should move back even further. McNiven then stopped moving and the referee brandished a yellow card – infuriating everyone in the ground.

On 83 minutes, Reeves headed over Watson’s cross as time was running out. Watson was then yellow carded five minutes and again the referee amazed the whole crowd with the decision.

Three minutes were added on at the end but Celtic failed to find the breakthrough. The referee seemed to blow his whistle for a foul throw-in but then he made his way towards the tunnel even fooling the players. Incorrectly blowing up for full-time summed up his performance.

FT 2-1

Exeter City: Marriot, Tully, Gill, Seaborne, Andy Taylor, Stansfield (Friend 58), Carlisle, Edwards, Matt Taylor, Logan (Basham 66), Moxey. Subs Unused: Jones, Elam, Cozic.

Farsley Celtic: Aspden, Jackson, Iqbal, Reeves, Watson, Scott McNiven, Bentham, Krief, Torpey (David McNiven 62), Santos (Knowles 13) (Stamer 59), Prendergast. Subs Unused: Backhouse, Bambrook.

Referee: A Watts (Kidderminster)

Attendance: 3339