Garforth Town 2-4 Farsley Celtic
James Walshaw responded to the jeers from the crowd by scoring a hat-trick
A second half hat-trick from headline summer signing James Walshaw pulled Farsley Celtic out of the fire at Garforth Town.
Despite hitting the woodwork several times during a frustrating opening 45 minutes, Farsley found themselves two goals down after Mitch Hamilton and Mark Simpson had scored for the Miners.
Hamilton, the son of former Farsley striker Mark, stunned the visitors with the opener on 14 minutes.
Farsley responded with a series of chances, most notably when Walshaw went one-on-one with goalkeeper Paul Hagreen. The former Guiseley forward tried to be clever which meant Hagreen was able to win the battle, much to the crowd’s amusement.
It was a costly miss as within 30 seconds, Simpson showed that his confidence is back. The striker raised the roof after catching Farsley’s defence and goalkeeper Jake Lofthouse out with a magnificent 30-yard strike that needed a bit of help off the crossbar.
Farsley dominated the end to the first half without reward. Hagreen made a double save from Aiden Savory, who also hit the post in a separate chance. Walshaw hit the crossbar, while ex-Garforth attacker Chris Howarth was denied by Hagreen.
Remarkably seconds later before the half-time whistle, Lee Turner missed a sitter which would have put Garforth into an even more commanding position.
Chris Howarth speeds past Garforth left-back Chris Simpkins
Garforth forward Mitch Hamilton broke the deadlock
Walshaw bows his head in shame after missing a sitter
Mark Simpson put Garforth Town 2-0 up with a stunning 30-yard strike
Simpson turns away after scoring
Walshaw can’t get on the end of a cross
Aiden Savory is denied by superb Garforth Town goalkeeper Paul Hagreen
Garforth Town winger Lee Turner should have put his side 3-0 up on the stroke of half-time
Paul Walker scored Farsley’s fourth, against his old team
It was a huge let-off for Farsley and a warning they heeded as Walshaw answered his critics in the crowd by scoring a quick-fire double to level scores within four minutes of the start of the second half. The striker put his hand to his ear and looked to the main stand after the second goal.
Farsley put the home side under further pressure. Hagreen briefly kept them out by making another double save, this time from Jordan Deacey. The ball ran loose to another ex-Miner Paul Walker, who was brought down. Walshaw completed his treble by converting the penalty.
Walker got himself on the score-sheet towards the end with a coolly-taken free kick.
Farsley Celtic: Lofthouse, Howarth, O’Brien, Knowles (Davidson 46), Clayton (Knowles 70), Miller (captain), Marshall (Deacey 46), Daly, Walshaw (Savory 62), Savory (Walker 46), Turner (Marshall 69).
Garforth Town: Hagreen, Alali (Leach 66), Simpkins, McMurrough (Walton 58), McCrum, Beeston, Turner (Tonkinson 81), Rose (captain) (Johnson 58), Simpson (Lund 70), Hamilton.
Referee: Andy Smith
Man of the match: Paul Hagreen (Garforth Town)