The National League North fixture list has pitched The Celts from one end of the table to the other as we face a tough trip to table toppers Tamworth tomorrow.
We enter the game in good spirits following last week’s comfortable 3-1 win over bottom side Bishop’s Stortford, thanks to goals from Noah Wadsworth and Chris and Ben Atkinson.
Tamworth lead the division by nine points, are unbeaten in their last 11 league games and have not conceded a goal in seven games.
“We know it’s going to be tough, but we always go into games with confidence,” gaffer Clayton Donaldson said. “Our away record has been really good and we’ve been unlucky not to pick up more points on the road in our past few games. Arguably we have deserved more at South Shields and Curzon.
“The fact that we have been travelling well should stand us in good stead. The way the players have handled themselves and prepared for away games has been very pleasing, and we hope to take that forward into Saturday.”
We are unbeaten in our away games on artificial pitches this season, something the gaffer is keen to continue, and he points to our game at the Citadel earlier in the season when we were unlucky not to take three points after conceding a late penalty in a 2-2 draw.
The gaffer added: “It’s always tough playing against a team at the top of the league, particularly at this time of the season as we enter the run in.
“They’re top of the league for a reason and we know it will be difficult to break them down, but looking back at our home game we were very unlucky not to get three points and we were the better team.
“We can take confidence from that. The way they play hasn’t really changed. If we can play like we have been doing we can pose them problems. The pressure is on them. Scunthorpe are chasing them, we can go there without pressure and just play our own game. Hopefully we can come back with the points.”
Kick-off time
The match kicks off at 3pm.
Ticket news & supporters’ information
All the important supporter information for the clash – including admission prices, travel and parking – can be found here.
Team news
The Celts have no new injury major concerns to report.
Lewis Turner has a further month at Ossett United in a bid to gain extra minutes, while Joao Silva has returned to The Citadel and is available for selection. Harry Sheridan has joined Liversedge FC on loan as he continues his comeback from injury.
Darren Stephenson has stepped up his work on the training pitch but has yet to resume full training.
Dylan Youmbi could return following an injury sustained against Scarborough last month.
How are Tamworth faring?
Last time we played Tamworth
The two sides fought out a 2-2 draw at the Citadel in August. The Celts were the better side for long periods but Tamworth took a first-half lead through a Jamie Willets header. The Celts had chances to equalise and did so early in the second half when Darren Stephenson coolly finished an Isaac Robinson cross.
The Celts took the lead with 15 minutes to go after a moment of magic from Jordan Carroll. He dropped his shoulder and cut inside from the right-flank before firing his shot into the bottom right-hand corner to give Farsley the advantage.
But there was late controversy when the referee harshly adjudged Conor Branson had handled a Tamworth shot with his arm in the area. Ben Milnes converted from the spot in stoppage time.
Food
Hot and cold food and drinks are available in the ground.
Social media
If you can’t make it to the Citadel tomorrow, you can follow our live Twitter feed for match commentary. Goal updates will feature on Instagram and Facebook.
