Farsley Celtic make the trip to Suffolk this weekend looking to maintain their strong start to the season as they take on Needham Market for the very first time

It’s the first ever meeting between the two teams after Needham Market were promoted from the Southern League Central Division in the 2023/24 season. The fixture is set to take place at Market’s Bloomfields stadium.

After the departure of First Team coaches Clayton Donaldson and Danny Ellis earlier in the week, the Celts come into the weekend match off the back of a hard-earned 1-1 draw at Southport in which Pav Singh took the reigns for his first match as manager.

Pav’s appointment makes him the highest ranked British South Asian in English football, and he and the Celts will be looking to build on midweek when they make the long trip down to Needham Market on Saturday.

Speaking on what he expects from his side tomorrow, Pav said: “We will be looking for the same levels of commitment and intensity that the lads showed at Southport, and we want to build on that game-by-game.

“It’s important for the lads to show character and resilience that will help to build the foundations for us to get stronger and have a sense of togetherness.”

TEAM NEWS

Manager Pav Singh will be boosted by the return of Manny Mampala, however the Celts will be without several players with long term injury worries. Rudy Misambo is still set for a spell on the sideline as well as DJ Campton-Sturridge and Lewis Turner who picked up injuries in midweek. Aiden Walker will also miss Saturday’s fixture.

NEEDHAM MARKET

After a tough start to life in the National League North, tomorrow’s hosts have picked up the momentum in recent fixtures, securing back-to-back wins away at both Warrington Town and Hereford, winning 2-1 and 1-0 respectively. The Suffolk outfit are managed by former Northern Ireland international Kevin Horlock who enjoyed a successful playing career in English football, racking up 491 league appearances as a midfielder for the likes of Manchester City, West Ham United and Ipswich Town. As well as managing Needham Market, Horlock is also the current Northern Ireland U21s Assistant Manager.

LAST TIME OUT

As previously mentioned, this will be the first ever meeting between the two sides with both clubs playing in different regions of the football pyramid.

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.