Farsley Celtic 0-2 Forest Green

By James Grayson

Celtic’s Blue-Square Premier place is hanging by a thread after a disastrous defeat at home to mid-table Forest Green.

John Deacey was given a boost before the game as he was able to recall Amjad Iqbal back after injury. Iqbal went straight into the centre back’s slot alongside Simeon Bambrook. The other change made was Lee Tuck coming in for Ryan Serrant.

Celtic got off to a nervy start and in the opening two minutes Adriano Rigoglioso fired well wide from 25 yards. Eight minutes later Rigogolioso shot over from only six yards.

Captain Iqbal had chances on 17 and 20 minutes from corners. Both were headers, the first one went wide, the second one was caught by keeper Terry Burton.

On 22 minutes Forest Green were handed the lead on a plate as poor marking gave Mark Preece the chance to score. The corner came in and PREECE at the near post headed easily home from six yards.

The goal was similar to the first goal conceded against Droylsden and like in that game Celtic looked for a way back straight away, they nearly found it. Damian Reeves did brilliantly on the right-wing and then managed to cross into the box. The cross found David McNiven but McNiven’s shot was deflected and the ball fell safely into the hands of Burton.

Celtic were having a good period but unable to really test the Forest Green defence. The last chance of the half fell to McNiven who turned and shot but again the ball went straight into Burton’s hands.

HT 0-1

Celtic started the second half very brightly and Tuck nearly equalised on 49 minutes. Rory Prendergast crossed the ball into the box from the left. Tuck met it at the back post but he was denied by an outstanding save from Burton.

On 56 minutes a Prendergast free kick was headed goal-ward by Bambrook but a slight deflection took the ball for a corner.

Forest Green’s danger man Stuart Fleetwood nearly sealed the game on 61 minutes. Fleetwood was seemingly offside but there was no flag and he eventually rounded Curtis Aspden before shooting wide.

However on 70 minutes Forest Green got the goal that killed off Celtic. Fleetwood went on a run on the right and he crossed along the floor to find Paul STONEHOUSE at the back post who simply tapped home.

 

Celtic nearly conceded more goals inside the last ten minutes as gaps started appearing. On 80 minutes Fleetwood was presented with a golden chance. Five yards out, the goal and Aspden were at his mercy but somehow he fired wide. Three minutes later Lee Dodgson’s shot was cleared off the line.

Celtic have now two games to save their Blue-Square Premier place and York on Tuesday is a must-win game.

FT 0-2

Farsley Celtic: Aspden, Downes, Iqbal, Bambrook (Heath 82), Scott McNiven, Tuck (Torpey 74), Watson, Krief, Prendergast (Stamer 65), Reeves, David McNiven. Subs Not Used: Ryan Serrant, Backhouse.

Forest Green: Burton, Lawless, Brough, Preece, Tonkin, Afful (Dodgson 82), Smith, Pitman, Stonehouse (Welsh 72), Fleetwood, Rigoglioso (Jones 69). Subs Not Used: Robinson, Carey-Bertram.

Attendance: 628

Referee: J Waugh (Sheffield).