West Riding County Cup
Selby Town 1-4 Farsley Celtic
Farsley Celtic – the 2018 West Riding County Cup winners
Nathan Cartman struck twice as holders Farsley Celtic easily overcame a brave Selby Town team to retain the County Cup.
Paul Walker and Cartman’s first half goals set Farsley on their way. A further goal from Cartman and Luke Parkin’s strike by the hour mark won a piece of silverware for Celts boss Adam Lakeland in his first season in charge.
Selby did not disgrace themselves. The Robins enjoyed a few good spells and they deserved their goal which came via Liam Flanagan in the dying minutes.
Reaching the final was some achievement in itself and Selby should look at it as being just the start of a glorious era under Christian Fox who has been offered a two-year contract.
It was always going to be a tall order for Selby, who hadn’t even played for ten days, against a play-offs chasing team from three leagues higher.
Selby had hoped to live up to their ‘superheroes’ billing by causing a fourth major upset in the competition, but those hopes were extinguished within two minutes.
On the immaculate 3g surface at the West Riding County FA headquarters, Farsley cut their opponents apart and Parkin fed Walker who buried the ball home from close range.
Farsley kept knocking on the door, but to Selby’s credit they held their nerve to prevent the floodgates. Selby goalkeeper Chris Barratt also made two excellent saves.
Magic man Joe Dale may look back with regret at one moment as he was gifted a golden opportunity. Farsley’s defence opened up and Dale shot narrowly wide.
Farsley survived and dominated once more and they effectively killed Selby off with three minutes of the first half remaining. Walker was the provider with a fine cross that Cartman turned home.
If Selby had held out at 1-0 until half-time, who knows what would have happened? At 2-0, it was mission impossible for Fox’s men.
Farsley turned on the style to wrap things up. An interchange between Walker and Cartman ended with former Brighouse Town striker Parkin firing home.
Within a few minutes, the fourth goal had been scored as Cartman struck after captain Adam Clayton’s header came back off the crossbar.
Farsley could have easily increased their lead, but Barratt kept them at bay with some good saves.
Selby themselves pressed on late-on. The introduction of ageing club legend Danny Gray added some fight to their attack. Prior to Flanagan’s deflected effort looping over goalkeeper Kyle Trennerry, the Selby talisman had been denied a point blank range.
That gave Selby’s loyal followers something to cheer about. Ultimately it was the Farsley fans cheering the loudest.
The Teams
Selby Town: Barratt, Pearse, Robinson (Collier 54), Snaith (Gray 54), Foster-Vigars, Kennedy, Woodhead (Bilton 54), Snodin, Flanagan, Clamp, Dale. Subs unused: Metcalfe, Lock.
Farsley Celtic: Trenerry, Harris, L Turner, Watson (Bett 72), C Atkinson (Quirke 91), Clayton (captain), B Atkinson, N Turner, Walker, Cartman, Parkin. Subs unused: Ellis, McKibben, Baldwin.
Who Was In Charge
Sam Barrott (10/10)
How Many Where There
301