Farsley Celtic travel to Walsall to face Rushall Olympic in the 2024/25 NLN season opener on Saturday, with Clayton Donaldson looking to start his second season in management with a victory

In a repeat of the previous season’s opener, Farsley make the trip down to Dales Lane to take on Rushall Olympic, who after a solid debut season in the National League North, remain ready to take another stab at the division as they welcome Donaldson’s side for the second time.

After a long pre-season featuring nine matches for Farsley, the Celts return to league action this weekend and player/manager Donaldson is eager to begin his second season in management, and reflected on pre-season, saying: “It’s been all about getting the players up to speed and getting them match fit.

“We tried different formations, different use of personnel in other positions so it was a case of being able to see what worked and what didn’t.

“Overall it’s been good and pleasing to see and that’s what pre-season is all about. It’s not about results but more about performances and players buying into what we’re trying to do with our style of play.

“That was the main thing and everyone is now prepared for the season ahead.”

The Celts most recently faced Hull City U21 in their final encounter of pre-season, drawing 2-2 with Donaldson upbeat about the performance, saying: “It was a good, decent runout. Hull U21s are a solid outfit with players like Jack Leckie and Noah Wadsworth who did well for us last season.

“It was a good test for us and overall a pleasing performance from our older players and the whole squad and that’s what we wanted going into the first game of the season.”

Speaking on Saturday’s clash with Rushall, Clayton spoke about the tough challenge ahead, saying: ” We’re prepared. We’ve done our homework and full preparation and now it’s time to get down to business where the points are at stake.

“Everyone is looking forward to it. No one likes pre-season as there isn’t much to gain other than fitness and sharpness and the physicality can be demanding but everyone has taken to it really well and now we’re up for Rushall.

“It’ll be a strong challenge for us. They’ve changed their manager and brought some new players in, making some solid signings.

“It’s always tough starting the season away from home but we’re prepared for it, we’ll give it our all and hopefully our all will be enough to get the result that we want.”

TEAM NEWS

Chris Atkinson will miss the start of the season after sustaining an injury before the beginning of pre-season. Alex Kiwomya hopes to be fit after missing the final match against Hull City U21.

RUSHALL OLYMPIC

The Pics enjoyed a steady debut season in the National League North, finishing in a very respectable 19th position after being tipped by many to be relegated. They have a new man at the helm in Adam Stevens who will be hoping to get off to the perfect start on Saturday at Dales Lane.

LAST TIME OUT

The two sides last met in February of this year, when Rushall ran out 4-1 winners at The Citadel in a dominant performance, as Conor Branson’s superb curling effort got the Celts back in it. At Dales Lane it was a different story as Donaldson won his first ever match in management after goals from Ben Atkinson and Darren Stephenson sealed a 2-0 win on the opening day.

SUPPORTER INFORMATION

All of the important information for supporters attending the game can be found HERE.

SOCIAL MEDIA

If you can’t make the game tomorrow, you can follow the events of the match by keeping up with live updates on our social platforms.

NATIONAL LEAGUE TV

The match will not be shown live on National League TV.