A brace from the returning Ben Atkinson was enough for the Celts to secure their first home win of the season and cap a fine all-round team performance.

What a difference tonight! The Celts looked a different side to the one which had limped to just one win in their previous six National League North matches.

The Celts started well. Tom Allan had a half-chance in the fifth minute, and moments later good build-up play saw Clayton Donaldson turn inside the box before playing it across goal. Branson arrived at the back post but he put it just wide.

A couple of minutes later Boston attacked and Jimmy Knowles cut aside and only narrowly missed the target.

The game was end to end and Celts defender Rudy Misambo headed narrowly wide, before George Smith’s audacious effort almost caught out the Boston keeper and landed on the roof of the net.

Farsley were knocking the ball about well and deservedly took the lead after Donaldson was fouled in the box just after the half-hour mark. Ben Atkinson, who had missed the last three games with injury, smashed the ball past Gregory and into the top left corner.

Boston were being outplayed but almost got an instant reply as Zan-Luk Leban appeared to be fouled, before Keaton Ward’s effort was scooped wide.

Ryan Watson’s set pieces were causing Boston problems and just before half time the midfielder curled in a corner towards the near post which Branson met, but he saw his header cleared off the line.

The second half again saw Farsley start well and eight minutes in the hosts were awarded another penalty when Tom Allan was taken out by Tom Leak. This time Ben Atkinson’s low penalty was saved by Boston’s keeper, only for the midfielder to head home the rebound for his fifth goal of the season.

Atkinson almost grabbed his hat-trick moments later when his shot on the turn was inches wide. Soon after, Conor Branson’s rasping drive from range rattled the crossbar as the Celts hunted for a third goal.

Farsley defended well for the remainder of the game. There was a big big goalmouth scramble in the Farsley box as Knowles among others have a go at it before the ball was eventually cleared, and two minutes from time a diving Leban did well to tip Brad Nicholson’s drive out for a corner.

The relief at the final whistle was palpable around the ground as the Celts celebrated a well-deserved three points.

We go again on Saturday, with a trip to Buxton.

Line up

Farsley Celtic: Leban, O’Brien (Carroll, 93), Smith, C Atkinson, Misambo, Allan, Watson, Branson, B Atkinson, Donaldson (Youmbi, 67), Stephenson. Subs (not used): Leverett, Chapman, Robinson.

Attendance: 525.