Farsley Celtic 0-1 Rushden & Diamonds

By James Grayson

Celtic succumbed to defeat against Rushden in a controversial game which blew up on 29 minutes and eventually saw Celtic reduced to nine men.

John Deacey kept faith with his side that beat Stafford 2-0. The only change was on the substitute’s bench where David McNiven replaced Colin Heath.

Everybody supporting Celtic in the ground was confident of gaining another three points towards safety and in the 1 st minute, Damian Reeves had an opportunity. Reeves beat the last defender in the penalty area. He then appeared to be brought down, however the referee Mr Curry waved away appeals.

In the 8 th minute, Celtic were awarded a dangerous free kick. Scott McNiven stepped up from 25 yards and fired his shot straight into the hands of keeper Dale Roberts.

Celtic were in control and taking the game to the visitors, Reeves was attacking the Rushden defenders on 15 minutes and due to them backing off, Reeves shot from 18 yards and forced a good save from Roberts.

A goal seemed to be coming and Rory Prendergast crossed into the box on 18 minutes. Steve Torpey collected the cross and turned brilliantly to shoot only to see his shot blocked.

Despite all Celtic’s pressure, the tables were turned in Rushden’s favour on 29 minutes. Prendergast seemed to be brought down inside the penalty area but the referee waved away appeals. The referee then sprinted 20 yards to show Prendergast a red card for foul and abusive language. At the time it was to the crowd’s dismay.

The temperature inside the ground was at boiling point and three minutes later Rushden won a free-kick. Michael Rankine seemed to con the referee just outside the area after going down under a challenge from Georges Santos. Luckily Curtis Woodhouse fired his free kick well over.

Celtic were nearly reduced to nine men on 34 minutes. Jon Challinor went in on Curtis Aspden very late and the referee ignored it. However he had to react when Aspden tapped Challinor on the face provoking him to go down like a sack of potatoes and starting a mass brawl. The referee brought order back and produced yellow cards for Aspden and Challinor. If the referee had saw it differently and shown Aspden a red card, it is likely there would have been a riot.

Since Celtic reverted to a 4-4-1 system with Reeves on the right wing, chances were reduced and Rushden were able to attack. On 47 minutes, Challinor’s shot went over for a corner – which came to nothing and ending the highly charged half.

HT 0-0

Celtic survived the first dangerous Rushden chance inside the first minute of the second half. Challinor fired over from 20 yards when he was in acres of space.

Celtic had to endure two minutes of pressure on 51 minutes, Firstly Woodhouse shot straight but dangerously at Aspden then Challinor did exactly the same.

20 minutes later Rushden captain Chris Hope headed over a corner leading John Deacey to start making changes. Roy Stamer came on for Torpey to try and get the game back in Celtic’s favour.

Rushden brought on Andy Burgess on 70 minutes and he played a key role in the last 20 minutes. Burgess took the game by the scruff of the neck and began controlling it. Within minutes of Burgess coming on, Rushden got the only goal of the game. Burgess’ shot was blocked by McNiven only for the ball to fall to CHALLINOR who easily fired home from 18 yards.

Changes had to be made and James Knowles and David McNiven came on for Scott McNiven and Andy Watson. But it was Rushden who looked more dangerous. On 79 minutes Hope’s close range header was palmed off the line by Aspden.

Charles Ademeno should have put the game to bed on 87 minutes when he through on goal. Ademeno got around Santos and Aspden but before he could finish Amjad Iqbal got back and got the ball away from danger.

The referee who had been waving yellow cards like confetti since Prendergast’s dismissal shed any Rushden fears of Celtic comeback on 92 minutes. Santos who had been booked ten minutes previously, committed a run of the mill foul on Ademeno. Rushden players who were happy to get on with the game were stopped by the referee banishing a second-yellow card and a red to Santos to everyone’s disbelief. Santos – who has become a cult hero since arriving at Throstle Nest in January will now miss Saturday’s game against Cambridge. Prendergast will miss three games.

FT 0-1

Farsley Celtic: Aspden, Jackson, Iqbal, Reeves, Watson (David McNiven 74), Scott McNiven (Knowles 74), Bentham, Krief, Torpey (Stamer 62), Santos, Prendergast. Subs Unused: Bambrook, Backhouse.

Rushden & Diamonds: Roberts, Osano (Burgess 70), Gulliver, Hope, Challinor, Woodhouse, Rankine (Tomlin 63), Shaw, Gooding (Ademeno 59), Corcoran, El-Kholti. Subs Unused: Platt, Howell.

Referee: P.E. Curry

Attendance: 475