Farsley Celtic 4-2 Weymouth

By James Grayson

 

Celtic got their potentially most important win of the season in a dramatic game at Throstle Nest. Weymouth took the lead twice but a David McNiven bullet header got Celtic back in the game and spurred them on for the victory.

After being suspended since his red card at Weymouth Andy Watson was put straight back in the starting line-up in place of Stephen Downes. Roy Stamer came in for Scott McNiven who was left out totally.

The conditions were awful for the entire game with the rain pouring down for the duration. Celtic started okay with Simeon Bambrook and Damian Reeves carving out half-chances. However on 11 minutes Celtic found themselves a goal down. A cross from the left was headed goal-ward by Anton Robinson forcing Curtis Aspden to make a great save. But unfortunately for Celtic Tony BEDEAU was on hand to tap home the rebound.

Celtic were living on the edge and could have easily been two down on 13 minutes. A Weymouth corner led to a scramble before Chris Blackburn volleyed only just over the bar.

Celtic were looking for inspiration as they were struggling to create chances. On 30 minutes a neat flick from Dominic Krief went just wide of the post. Four minutes later, a Michael Malcolm cross was nearly converted by Bedeau – if he had it would have been a goal.

Inspiration came on 36 minutes from an unlikely source. Krief played the ball long to Stamer – now on the right wing. STAMER took a touch and then skipped past the defender before rounding the keeper. He easily got round the keeper but the tap home only just made it over the line.

On 41 minutes Celtic were fortunate again when Nicholas Crittenden nearly converted another dangerous cross.

HT 1-1

Celtic started the second half much better and on the basis of the first five minutes looked set for a goal.

On 49 minutes half-time substitute James Knowles tested Weymouth keeper Stephen Henderson with a low-drive from 18 yards. However Weymouth made it 2-1 on 53 minutes. Despite a suspicion of offside Simon Weatherstone was able to put the ball into the back of the net to put Weymouth ahead again.

Celtic were living again on the edge and on 60 minutes James Coutts smashed Aspden’s post from 12 yards. But Celtic’s saviour arrived on the field four minutes later – in the face of McNiven.

Celtic supporters and players were looking for inspiration and on 67 minutes it arrived again and stayed for the rest of the match. Rory Prendergast was given the ball on the left side and he crossed the ball beautifully into the box. MCNIVEN beat his marker and from eight yards he easily beat the keeper with a bullet header

The tide had turned and the game was in Celtic’s favour and everyone inside the ground could sense a third goal and it came on 75 minutes. Stephen Downes won a corner and then took it himself, the ball was claimed by no-one before Mark JACKSON was able to tap home from 12 yards – advantage Farsley.

The goal knocked Weymouth and chances for Celtic were coming thick and fast. On 81 minutes McNiven got past Blackburn and then forced a save from Henderson. Three minutes later Prendergast got past Blackburn before shooting from 18 yards. It seemed to be Celtic’s fourth only for Henderson to pull off a fantastic save to deny him.

Blackburn’s tiredness finally cost Weymouth in the 87 th minute when Reeves sealed the game for Celtic. Blackburn stood just outside the penalty area passed back to his goalkeeper – only to sell him short. REEVES capitalised and was left with simplest tasks of blasting the ball past Henderson – game, set and match – Farsley.

Celtic saw out the game and what matters is that we got the win we had to get.

FT 4-2

Farsley Celtic: Aspden, Jackson, Iqbal, Santos, Stamer (Knowles 46), Watson (Downes 55), Bentham, Krief, Prendergast, Bambrook (David McNiven 64), Reeves. Subs Not Used: Tuck, Torpey.

Weymouth: Henderson, Critchell, Bailey, Blackburn, Doe (Beavon 77), Bedeau, Weatherstone, Robinson, Crittenden (Convery 60), Malcolm, Coutts. Subs Not Used: Stewart, Anzite, Justyn Roberts.

Attendance: 459

Referee: D Webb