Farsley Celtic clinched a crucial three points on the road against Gloucester City today, bouncing back from their midweek defeat at Blyth in a commendable manner. Despite contending with scorching temperatures exceeding 30 degrees on this sweltering day in 2023, and enduring a lengthy coach journey to Gloucester, Farsley displayed remarkable resilience and determination, departing TigerTurf Stadium with a clean sheet and a full complement of points.
The initial ten minutes witnessed both teams launching attacks, with Jordan Carroll’s attempt from the edge of the box being blocked, and Gloucester’s Danny Wright coming close to edging the home side ahead, only to send his shot wide of the near post.
The Celts then approached the target, with Ben Atkinson seizing an opportunity inside the area, but his volley veered wide. Shortly thereafter, Atkinson came close once more, heading wide after connecting with a deep cross from Tom Allan.
The pace of the game then appeared to subside, with neither goalkeeper seriously challenged until the half-hour mark when the deadlock was broken. George Smith received the ball on the left flank, surged forward, and unleashed a cross-cum-shot towards the goal. It struck the post, rebounded off the Gloucester goalkeeper, and trickled over the line into the net.
Gloucester promptly sought to equalise and came close five minutes before half-time when Harry Pinchard’s cross met Wright’s head, but he could only steer the ball wide of the far post.
Wright remained a persistent figure in the match, and after the interval, he believed he had levelled the score by winning a header from a corner. However, a combination of the post and Rudy Misambo somehow prevented the ball from finding the back of the net.
The Tigers persisted in their efforts, but the Farsley defence held steadfast, with Michael Acquah facing few challenges in the dying moments of the game. The Celts ultimately secured an impressive 1-0 victory, a strong response to their midweek struggles against Blyth Spartans.
The outcome propels Clayton Donaldson’s side to 13th place in the table, with Farsley now boasting three wins in their first five away matches in the National League North.
