Match Preview :- Farsley Celtic - Saturday September 6th, 2008 (15:00:00)
Celtic are back on the road on Saturday when we visit newly relegated Farsley Celtic with a 3pm kick off hot on the demolition of Solihull at home. Farsley are currently twelfth in the table, four points and nine places behind Celtic. There will be a live match centre for this match.

Farsley have won two out of their three home games this season, beating Blyth and Fleetwood, but losing 2-3 to Hinckley. On the road they?ve fared worse, losing on the opening day to Stafford, and drawing 0-0 with Burscough and, most recently, Gainsborough; and losing 3-1 away at Redditch. This is not the start that was expected for a team playing in the Conference National last season, and they are struggling to adapt to the Conference North.

We?ve met our fellow Celtic three times, the first in 1999 when we put them out of the FA Cup, beating them 4-2 at home. When we first met in the league, in the 06/07 season, Farsley came out on top as they marched straight through the Conference North on route to back-to-back promotions, beating us 2-0 at Bower Fold, although we held them to a 1-1 draw at the Throstles Nest. Farsley?s record in the Conference National saw them almost survive for a second season, but fail after losing their last six games, the games against York and Grays being the deciding factor.

Our away record is good this season, and the automated prediction algorithm is suggesting a 3-1 win for Stalybridge Celtic.

Andy Campbell is Farsley?s most dangerous player, and currently has five goals to his name (putting him second in the league scoring chart), with James Walshaw his current closest rival for the golden boot on three goals. Most of Farsley?s goals have been coming in the second half, with seven scored in this period of their total ten goals this season. They have conceded eight goals this season, with five of these also in the second half. They have kept three clean sheets, and failed to score in three games, with two 0-0 draws in there. Their best result this season was a 4-1 home win over Fleetwood Town.

Stalybridge are currently the league?s hottest attack, with fifteen goals scored, and we have the fifth best defence, with seven goals conceded. We have kept two clean sheets and failed to score just once. Our top scorer is currently a tie between Steve Torpey and Nathan Joynes, who are both on three.

Farsley?s squad appears to be injury and suspension free, with defender Iqbal?s suspension for his red card against Gainsborough not kicking in for another week. Farsley have their own Steve Torpey, but he has mainly been a substitute this season. In their last match, the 0-0 draw away at Gainsborough, Farsley lined up as:
1. Curtis Aspden
2. Jamie Price
3. Chris Stabb
4. Dominic Krief
5. Mark Jackson
6. Amjad Iqbal
7. Craig Bentham
8. Rory Prendergast
9. James Walshaw
10. Andy Campbell
11. Simeon Bambrook

Nathan Joynes limped from the field just before half time against Solihull, and will have to have a fitness test ahead of the match, whilst Terry Barwick?s suspension for the red card in the 1-1 draw with King?s Lynn does not kick in until 13-September, meaning he will miss Harrogate, Hinckley and the Cheshire Senior Cup match against Alsager. Other than that, Celtic?s squad is looking strong. In our 5-0 win over Solihull Moors on Tuesday, we lined up as:
1. Paul Phillips
2. Ashley Woolliscroft
3. Rhys Meynell
4. Barrie Keeling
5. Terry Barwick
6. Paul Sykes
7. Steve Torpey
8. Keith Briggs
9. Lee Ellington
10. Nathan Joynes
11. Chris Williams

Celtic are currently five points behind Southport and four behind Harrogate, level on points with Blyth, Tamworth and Hinckley (above them on goal difference), so a win is essential to keep in touch with the top two, and ensure we can stay ahead of the pack. Harrogate are away at Tamworth (predicted 1-1), and Southport are hosting Alfreton (predicted 3-2).
Directions
Distance: 42
Time: 1 hour

Join the M60 towards Oldham, and at Junction 20, join the M62 towards Leeds.
Stay on the M62 until junction 26, the M606 towards Bradford.
Stay on the M606 until the very end, and join the A6177 (Eastbound towards Leeds and Pudsey).
After 3 miles, turn right on the Thornbury roundabout onto the A647 towards Leeds.
Stay on the A647 for two miles across two roundabouts to a third roundabout - go straight across onto the B6157 (Bradford Road).
After a few hundred yards, turn left onto New Street (by the Tradex store).
After 400 yards, turn right by the Nursery school onto Newlands.
The Throstle Nest is at the end of Newlands.