Farsley Celtic 0-0 Stevenage Borough
By James Grayson
Celtic bounced back from heartbreak at Kidderminster to gain a fantastic point from high-flying Stevenage on a blustery night at Throstle Nest. Celtic boss John Deacey handed debuts to his new signings, Georges Santos and Scott Gardner. Santos who played as a striker two weeks ago for Alfreton, slotted into the centre-back role.
Former England manager Peter Taylor and his Stevenage team came to Throstle Nest full of confidence after a very good run of form. Taylor handed new signing Peter Vincenti a place in the first X1.
The first half was a very quiet affair with few highlights. However Celtic were the side on top by the end of the half.
The first and best chance of the game fell to Celtic and the score should have 1-0. Damien Reeves latched onto Roy Stamer’s long ball but when he was one-on-one with Alan Julian in the Stevenage goal, Reeves failed to properly connect with the ball and the shot went wide.
On 20 minutes the game was halted for a couple of minutes. Referee Mr. Sutton gave a free kick in Celtic’s favour but then limped off injured, the fourth official Mr. Brown replaced him.
Debutant Santos had a sniff of the goal on 26 minutes but he made a mess of his shot. Stamer’s corner found its way to Santos just outside the 18 yard box but with Craig Bentham standing nearby, the shot went high and wide.
Celtic had the last chance of the half but it was a more hopeful one. James Knowles picked the ball up 30 yards out and his long range effort only just over.
HT 0-0
The second half was similar to the first with Celtic again on top for the majority of the half.
Stamer had the first chance of the second half when he turned to shoot but he could only force Julian to make an easy save.
The game seemed to have more hopeful chances rather than real ones. Vincenti shot from 30 yards on 51 minutes but the shot went well wide.
The game seemed to be opening up and a goal seemed to be coming. On 54 minutes Reeves turned in the penalty area and his goal-bound effort was blocked by a Stevenage defender. Two minutes later Stevenage were under siege again when the ball fell kindly for Knowles eight yards out. Knowles was able to perform an overhead kick and the ball was only prevented from going in because of a great save by Julian.
Most Celtic fans thought their team had taken the lead on 64 minutes. Reeves picked up the ball on the halfway line and he went on a darting run. He eventually shot from 18 yards and the ball only just went wide and Julian was beaten.
For the next 25 minutes Celtic were able to contain their opponents and attack at them and if Stevenage’s defence wasn’t as solid as it was, Celtic probably would have won the game.
FT 0-0
Farsley Celtic: Aspden, Jackson, Iqbal, Knowles (Krief 79), Bambrook, Reeves, Stamer, McNiven, Bentham, Gardner, Santos. Subs Unused: Watson, Grant, Whitman, Torpey.
Stevenage Borough: Julian, Fuller, Murray, Westwood, Wilson, Arber, Morison, Lewis (O’Sullivan 80), Laird (McMahon 65), Willock (Bramble 35), Vincenti. Subs Unused: Henry, Masters.
Referee: Mr. G Sutton (Mr. M Brown 20)
Attendance: 501
MATCH STATS
FARSLEY CELTIC 0 STEVENAGE BOROUGH 0
THURSDAY 24 th JANUARY 2008
KICK OFF: 7.45 pm
At Throstle Nest
|
2 |
ON TARGET |
|
1 |
|
5 |
OFF TARGET |
|
5 |
|
0 |
BLOCKED |
|
0 |
|
0 |
WOODWORK |
|
0 |
|
3 |
CORNERS |
|
3 |
|
3 |
OFFSIDES |
|
4 |
|
11 |
FOULS |
|
13 |
|
0 |
YELLOW |
|
3 |
|
0 |
RED |
|
0 |
