The Celts did ride their luck at times, particularly when Kurt Willoughby’s free-kick rattled the bar late on into the game, but resolute defending from Pav Singh’s side saw them take a point against opponents who started the day in second place in the Vanarama National League North.
Chester created the game’s first clear-cut chance on seven minutes, but Jack Bainbridge flicked his header wide as the ball was crossed in from the left.
Farsley responded on the 20 minute mark when well-constructed move saw Ben Atkinson progress down the right before squaring to Bailey Sloane who was advancing into the box but the wing-back skewed his shot wide.
Another easy-on-the-eye play from the Celts saw them create another opportunity on goal just before the interval. Atkinson found Danny Greenfield, who in-turn laid the ball off to Darren Stephenson but the forward’s shot was saved by Elyh Harrison in the Chester goal.
After a fairly low-quality opening 45 minutes in terms of chances on goal, Chester began to create more of the chances after the break. On 54 minutes Iwan Murray’s shot from 25 yards saw Tom Wooster equal to the effort before Jordan Hunter’s attempt from even further out didn’t trouble the Farsley goal.
The game’s key moment came on 80 minutes, with Chester looking increasingly more dangerous as the game moved towards its conclusion. Forward Willoughby went for goal from a set-piece 25-yards out, but the shot was slightly too high as it smashed the crossbar before being scrambled clear.
On 88 minutes, a powerful low cross was sent into the box which ricocheted off Isaac Assenso, but thankfully the ball flew just outside of the post and behind for a corner.
Then three minutes into a total of seven minutes of stoppage time, Chester were reduced to ten men after Nathan Woodthorpe received a second yellow card for simulation after falling to the ground in his attempts to win his side a late penalty.
Despite the man deficit, Chester continued to pin Farsley into their box for the final few minutes but staunch defending saw the spoils shared on the England-Wales border.
Pav Singh’s Farsley side are next in action at ‘home’ to Kettering Town next Saturday in the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round, with the club aiming to make it to the First Round proper for the first time since 2006. The game is set to take place at Guiseley AFC’s Nethermoor Park, with Farsley’s own pitch at The Citadel not available to host the tie.
Farsley Celtic: Wooster, Hyde (Fox 90+4), Assenso, Branson, Allan, Sloane, Watson (Fielding 80), B Atkinson, Greenfield, Campton-Sturridge (Youmbi 65), Stephenson.
Subs not used: Mampala, Misambo.
