Farsley Celtic fell to a 4-1 defeat at the hands of Oxford City at the Mgroup Stadium
The hosts scored two on either side of half time through Corie Andrews, Josh Ashby, Tom Scott and Zac McEachran with Aaron Pickles heading in a late consolation goal for Farsley.
Oxford immediately started on the front foot and their early pressure payed off when Andrews volleyed in an early opener from inside the six-yard box.
Farsley responded just moments later when Ben Atkinson headed down and wide from a deep cross by Lewis Turner, keeping the hosts in front.
Kieran Flavell did well to keep Oxford out multiple times during the first half however he was left without a chance on the half-hour mark when Ashby’s hopeful shot from outside the area deflected off a Farsley defender before nestling into the back of the net.
Chances were few and far between for the Celts during the first half but Darren Stephenson saw a sight of goal ten minutes before the interval after picking up on a loose pass – however the Farsley top scorer couldn’t keep his effort on target.
Pav Singh made three changes at the break in order to turn the game for Farsley, however the hosts remained on top and they had their third ten minutes into the second half; Tom Scott being played through before slotting past Flavell to put the result beyond doubt.
Oxford had a fourth on the 70-minute mark when McEachran‘s first time strike from the edge of the area beat Flavell to cap off a miserable afternoon down south for the Celts.
The last moments before the rain set in at the Mgroup Stadium saw a small ray of sunshine for Farsley when Aaron Pickles headed into the far corner from a Cole Hyde cross to claim a consolation goal and his second since making the loan move from Accrington Stanley.
The result sees Ross Jenkins’ side leapfrog Farsley and out of the relegation zone, meanwhile Singh’s side remain one place above Radcliffe in the drop zone.
Attention turns from the league towards the FA Trophy next for Farsley as they make the trip to Gateshead, looking to earn a place in the fourth round of the competition.
