Report: Radcliffe Borough 3-1 Farsley Celtic

A wretched performance in the final third of the match saw Farsley lose ground in the play-off race, following a 3-1 defeat at Radcliffe Borough.

After a goal-less first half, the Celts took a 48th minute lead through Lewis Nightingale’s corner but it was all downhill after that moment.

Abysmal defending allowed Matthew Davies and Jodie Banim to fire home a quick-fire double after the hour mark and then Sam McMahon’s penalty 15 minutes from time rubbed more salt into the wound.

Victories for Burscough and Clitheroe this evening mean Farsley are now five points off fifth spot, with their rivals having games in hand.

The hosts created the first clear-cut chance of the match on 12 minutes when Dominic Smith squared the ball in from the left but midfielder Tom Hulme could only shoot straight at Tom Taylor.

The Celts then went onto create a string of chances, the first coming five minutes later as Nightingale crossed to Aiden Savory but his header was flicked around the post following an excellent save from Chris Cheetham.

Then on the half-hour mark, Aaron Hardy threaded in Jordan Deacey but the midfielder fired wildly over the bar.

Four minutes later, Paul Walker managed to keep the ball in over on the left before feeding Deacey, but he was wasteful again, blazing way over the target.

He came closer on the 40th minutes after being played in by Nightingale, but in shooting across the ‘keeper, his effort struck the base of the post before being scrambled away to safety.

The Celts came out brightly after the interval and netted the opener three minutes in, with Nightingale’s left-footed in-swinging corner evading everyone and flying into the top corner.

Farsley had further chances to extend their lead over the next few minutes; firstly Aiden Savory was played clean in but Cheetham came out on top in the one-on-one situation.

The forward was found again by Nightingale on 55 minutes, but this time he fired just wide of the upright.

Those missed chances came back to bite the visitors, as Radcliffe netted a 60th minute equaliser. Davies was afforded too much time and he slotted into the bottom corner for 1-1.

More atrocious defending was to come though, as Celtic wasted multiple chances to clear their lines and after a woeful clearance was hoofed high into their own box, Banim was presented the opportunity to fire home, which he duly did.

Radcliffe now had the spring in their step and only a good save from Taylor on 70 minutes saw Ric Smith kept out, after he had galloped through the challenges.

But the killer-blow came on 75 minutes when an ill-advised challenge from Hardy saw a Radcliffe forward tumble in the box, with referee Sam Barrott having no option but to award the penalty. McMahon confidently dispatched down the right to put them further ahead.

Farsley didn’t throw in the towel but more wayward shooting was to prove costly. With the clock ticking down Nightingale picked out Chris Howarth but he fired way over as the last of Farsley’s dwindling hopes were extinguished.

Radcliffe Borough: Cheetham, Middleton, Walters, Valentine (Hindle 83), Lafferty, R Smith, Hulme, Davies (Ashburner 64), D Smith, Banim, Rokka (McMahon 70).
Subs not used: Bainbridge, Landregan.

Farsley Celtic: Taylor, Hardy, Grant, Howarth, Clayton (O’Brien 78), Miller, Nightingale, Daly, Walker (Osborne 72), Savory, Deacey.
Subs not used: Lofthouse, Sugden, Connor.

Referee: Sam Barrott (West Yorkshire)
Attendance: 67