Farsley 3-0 Woking
By James Grayson
Celtic finally showed their true worth with a breathtaking performance to sweep Frank Gray’s Woking aside.
John Deacey kept faith with all but one of the players who played in Celtic’s 0-0 with Altrincham. The only change was Scott McNiven coming back into the side after suspension for Ryan Serrant who was injured.
It was clear from the first minute that it may be Celtic’s day. Six minutes had gone by the time Celtic had created their first opportunity. Steve Torpey chested the ball down for Damian Reeves to blast it over the crossbar from 25 yards, it was a sign of things to come.
Torpey nearly put Celtic ahead five minutes later after a blunder from Woking keeper Ross Worner. Worner attempted to play the ball long down the field but it only made its way just outside the area, falling for Torpey. Torpey however was unable to take a touch and the ball trickled slowly wide from his shot.
The chances for once were coming thick and fast and Reeves attacked Woking’s defence on 16 minutes. Reeves picked the ball up on the halfway line and went on one of his explosive runs. When he arrived on the edge of the penalty area he drove his shot low but it could only force a good save from Worner.
The moment everyone had been waiting for arrived on the 20 th minute. It was possibly one of the best team goals seen at Throstle Nest for a long time. The ball started with Reeves who passed to Torpey – with his back to goal – who then neatly played the ball to BENTHAM who calmed played the ball into the back of the net to put the Celts ahead.
Celtic had caught the bug and Worner had to prevent Celtic taking a two-goal advantage twice on 27 minutes. Firstly he saved Torpey’s powerful effort from 16 yards and only seconds later he pounced early to stave off the threat of Reeves.
It wasn’t all plain sailing though and Woking were very unfortunate not to be level on 29 minutes. Jason Norville brought the ball down brilliantly and then unleashed a powerful volley from 12 yards. But the signs were there that it was Celtic’s day when Curtis Aspden pulled off a fantastic save by palming the ball over the crossbar.
Celtic gained a free kick 30 yards out on 36 minutes and that was nearly converted. Rory Prendergast took it and Worner pushed the ball over the crossbar. But from the corner, Celtic made it 2-0. Prendergast’s corner came in and it led to a goalmouth scramble before REEVES blasted home.
2-0 is a dangerous lead especially if you concede just before half-time and Celtic nearly did. After a controversial free kick was given, Marvin Morgan tapped the ball home at the back-post from the free kick. But luck was holding as the assistant referee was flagging for offside to Morgan’s disbelief.
2-0 is also a dangerous lead when you go in at the break with that score against Woking. Last Tuesday, Woking came back 2-0 to draw 2-2 with Exeter – but today history didn’t repeat itself.
Seeing out the game was Celtic’s priority going into the second half, but a third goal on 50 minutes made the day even more special. TORPEY received the ball inside the penalty area and he turned his marker before smashing the ball past Worner – game, set and match, FARSLEY!
For the next 40 minutes chances were few and far between as Celtic’s centre-back pairing of Georges Santos and Amjad Iqbal marshalled Norville and Morgan brilliantly – not allowing them a sniff. 16 more team performances like that and we’re staying up!!
FT 3-0!
Farsley Celtic: Aspden, Jackson, Iqbal, Reeves (Tuck 86), McNiven, Bentham, Krief, Torpey, Gardner (Watson 49), Santos, Prendergast. Subs Unused: Bambrook, Stamer, Backhouse.
Woking: Worner, Lorraine, Bunce, Hutchinson, Gray, Morgan, Norville, Pattison, Green (Lambu 52), Ruby (Sole 52), Batt. Subs Unused: Gindre, Marum, Maledon.
Referee: R Joyce
Attendance: 479
