FARSLEY CELTIC RESERVES

Following another successful season last time around we once again start the re building process for the coming season. Continuing our player development process to support John Deacey and Neil Parsley at 1st team level is where we are headed and this season also sees the added facility of our full time Under 19s team in association with Park Lane College. Add to this the new Junior mentors at each age group from U7s to U17s and its Saturday ‘Shooting Stars’ soccer school and clearly Farsley Celtic is amongst the frontrunners for Football coaching and development in the Region.

PRE SEASON

A mixed bag (resultswise)of pre season games have provided a positive base for the coming season ahead. After playing  well against a good Carlton team we came away 2-0 down after a couple of defensive lapses but lots of positives in the way we held and controlled the ball. A feature of John Deacey’s team talk for last Tuesday’s 4-0 win at Brighouse was the need to retain possession. With 11 1st teamers starting out the reserves were pretty much on a learning exercise but responded superbly when in the closing 30 minutes we played a young keeper plus reserve back four and maintained a creditable clean sheet with Bobby Melia (midfield)and Mattie (supporting Roy Stammer). On Thursday we took another young team to play Stevie Learoyd’s Whitkirk Wanderers and in driving rain against a decent WW side we earned a creditable 2-2 draw. This one was more a test of grit and determination but certainly  more lessons learnt and one or two of the younger players have really done themselves a power of good as we head towards our opener in the Eastern Division of the Lancashire League is against Harrogate Town next Wednesday 13th KO 7.45 pm. This game is followed by a Home game here at the Nest on  Tuesday 19th KO 7.45 pm.... With the 2008/09 season ahead of us it’s Game On !!!!

It’s good to report that a number of the younger players have been given a chance throughout the close season. John Deacey and Neil Parsley have had a real good look atthe lads and the experience gained and lessons learned at the recent Brighouse Town game will be invaluable to the younger players. Neil Stevens is featured elsewhere in the programme and it’s a real credit to the lad and his family as he continues to impress with his enthusiasm, commitment and attitude. Chris Backhouse is another of the younger players whose qualities have been recognised at 1st team level.....well done lads!!!

 

A GOOD START......Reserves open with a Win

 

A 2-0 opening game win away to Harrogate Town was a fair return for a storming 2nd half performance by the Reserves . The least said about the 1st half the better really as the Celts were 'still on the bus' as Harrogate Town were allowed enough space and time to play their football and dictate the pace of the game. Only Josh Procter in goal came out of the 1st half with anything like a clean slate.

 

From the 'off' in the 2nd Farsley came out firing on all cylinders and pinned the HT lads back for long spells. A couple of early substitutions then changed the scoreline as 16 year old Jordan McGee raced through to flash in the opener after 55minutes before Tom McClure ended a flowing move with a shot rifled in low as the home keeper came out head to head to meet the run. Matty Kelly and Bobby Melia again combined well with some excellent running and support play.

 

By this time Tom Penfold and James Knowles had the midfield under control ably supported by Bobby Melia, Matty Kelly and Tom Jackson raiding from left back.

 

Team: Procter, Jackson, Craven, Banks, Hope, Melia, Knowles, Penfold, Kelly (Minnock 70), Charles (McGee 50) Serrant (McClure 65) Not Used: Barnfield, Jenkinson, Ashworth.

 

 Manager Glenn Walton seems to be taking all the credit for the victory (said tongue in cheek) with his substitutions but in reality everyone pulled their finger out at half time....simple as that really.

 

 

Reserves open their home account with a Win

Stalybridge Celtic Reserves brought a good young team with them on Tuesday night for our opening home fixture of the season. With both sides playing some flowing high tempo football it was the Celts who opened the scoring with a slick interchange of passing down the centre. Josh Hope won his tackle to send Bobby Melia forward from the centre circle. His neat incisive reverse pass put Matty Bowman through for a run at the keeper and he coolly finished from the edge of the box after 20 minutes.

We had played well in the 1st half and battled hard but probably were a little fortunate to go into the break 1-0 up as Stalybridge had shaded the opening 45 minutes, having had a few more chances.

Different story once again in the early part of the 2nd. Farsley held and moved the ball with more conviction and this lead to a number of chances before Luke Craven cracked in a well deserved penalty as Ryan Serrant was scythed down as he sped into the box. This followed excellent support play from midfield with Matty Kelly and Bobby Melia combining well. Farsley continued to press and Matty Kelly rounded off another flowing move to drive home from the edge of the box.

So 3-0 and game over with 25 to go!!! Football doesn’t normally let this happen and as Farsley eased up the Stalybridge side surged forward to close the gap..3-1. For the next 10 minutes Farsley had a game on their hands but weathered the stormed as Captain Tim Banks rallied the troops. Both teams played right through to the close in driving rain as fitness was tested to the limit. Farsley ran out deserved winners but new they had been in a game. Well played by both sides!!!

 Team: Backhouse, Jackson, Craven, Banks (Capt), Hope, Melia, McClure, Kelly, Serrant, Bowman, Turner.  Sheriffe (70), Jenkinson (85), McDougle (75), Routledge, Procter. Minnock.

 

	Eastern Division	Pld	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
1	Wakefield Reserves	4	2	2	0	11	8	8
2	Guiseley Reserves	3	2	1	0	7	5	7
3	Farsley Celtic Reserves	2	2	0	0	5	1	6
4	Stalybridge Celtic Reserves	4	1	1	2	8	10	4
5	Harrogate Town Reserves	2	1	0	1	9	3	3
6	Woodley Sports Reserves	2	1	0	1	6	5	3
7	Pontefract Colliery Reserves	3	0	2	1	2	4	2
8	Thackley Reserves	1	0	1	0	2	2	1
9	Ossett Town reserves	1	0	1	0	0	0	1
10	Bradford Park Avenue Reserves	1	0	0	1	1	2	0
11	Ossett Albion Reserves	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
12	Hyde United Reserves	1	0	0	1	2	3	0
13	Harrogate Railway Reserves	1	0	0	1	1	3	0
14	Yorkshire Amateur Reserves	1	0	0	1	1	6	0