Walshaw guides Farsley past Tad

Evo Stik Division One North

Farsley Celtic 5-1 Tadcaster Albion

Non League legend James Walshaw netted a second half hat-trick for Farsley Celtic in the Bank Holiday Monday derby clash with Tadcaster Albion.

Walshaw was on target for the Celts three times in the final 20 minutes to secure that result that ensures the gap on Ossett Town narrowed.

In the very first minute a Jordan Armstrong free-kick caused Celtic problems. Rob Youhill nodded down for Josh Barrett who saw his close range effort beaten away by Graeme McKibbin. The Farsley stopper could only push back to Youhill who picked out Tom Allan who also saw his strike cleared off the line.

The home side were slightly on top in terms of possession in the opening exchanges but there was no doubting who looked the more dangerous as the Brewers were denied again seven minutes later. This time they weren’t denied by a player but the woodwork.

Rob Youhill did well to create the half a yard of space needed to fire a cross to Tom Corner who had pulled off his man but could only direct his header onto the face of the crossbar. The rebound fell to Conor Sellars who’s reaction header was blocked and eventually McKibbin pounced on the pieces.

Farsley were coming into the contest on the back of a defeat at Ossett Town on Boxing Day and there were certainly signs of uncertainty at the back in the first fifteen minutes.

First it was McKibbin, then a clearance off the line, then the crossbar.

The home side were always going to wake up at some point and they did so after 25 minutes. Paul Walker powerfully drifted in-field and hung up the perfect cross for Walshaw but the striker on this occasion couldn’t hit the target.

As the half wore on, Celtic began to grow in the encounter and Ross Daly had a glorious chance to break the deadlock eight minutes later. The midfielder stormed into the penalty area but could only poke straight at the advancing Gary Stevens.

However the home side did in fact take the lead six minutes from the break. Richard Marshall’s low shot somehow found its way through Stevens’ legs and into the back of the net. The goalkeeper may have been unsighted by Thirkell and saw the effort late but nevertheless Farsley took the lead.

And it could have been two five minutes later, this time Stevens made amends to deny Marshall his second. Taddy did find a way to goal before the half-time whistle went however, it was adjudged to have been an illegal way.

Josh Grant’s high cross squirmed past McKibbin but Tom Allan clearly jumped into and impeded the goalkeeper.

Into the second half and Conor Sellars was given a golden opportunity to equalise after being played in behind but the nippy attacker couldn’t beat McKibbin who stood up tall. Farsley were building momentum as the second half ticked by and had an effort of their own cleared off the line by Thirkell.

They did double their lead in the 69th minute though with Walshaw turning in at the near post. But back came Taddy as the deficit was pegged back to just one four minutes later. A double change saw Tom Allan move from centre-back to centre-forward and the man on loan scored his third goal in three games.

Allan capitalised and pounced on a mix up between McKibbin & Clayton to reignite hope for the travelling Taddy fans.

Having said that though, with nine minutes remaining the contest was all but over as Marshall netted his second and Celtic’s third of the afternoon.

The Brewers couldn’t live with Walker’s trickery and powerful wide play and Marshall leathered into the net after several fortuitous ricochets.

With the game effectively over, Walshaw scored two more in the final two minutes to complete his hat-trick and add a certain gloss on the score line.

His second and Farsley’s fourth was a fantastic goal. The ball was sharply played into him on the edge of the penalty area and the experienced striker turned and arrowed into the bottom corner in one swift motion.

The fifth and final goal of the afternoon came deep in injury time when Walshaw raced through Taddy’s back-line and deftly dinked over Stevens.

The Teams

Farsley Celtic: McKibbin, Hardy (captain), Howarth, Turner, Clayton, Savory, Marshall, Daly, Walshaw, Deacey, Walker. Subs: Nightingale, Watson, P.Davidson, A.Davidson, Lofthouse.

Tadcaster Albion: Stevens, Armstrong, Grant, Barrett, Allan, Thirkell, Youhill (Ibrahimi 82), Mycoe, Corner (Jono Greening 68), Sellars (Josh Greening 68), Baker.

Thanks to Jay Taylor for this report.