Evo-Stik League Premier Division: Farsley Celtic 3 Grantham Town 0

A BRILLIANT piece of individual skill illuminated Farsley Celtic’s home victory over Grantham Town, as Paul Walker proved that whatever David Beckham and Wayne Rooney can do so can he.

The two former England internationals have both famously scored from the halfway line after spotting the opposition keeper off his line.

Walker placed a free-kick just inside his own half last night, and his quick thinking and pinpoint accuracy resulted in a goal that was just as spectacular.

That 86th-minute strike was the Celts’ third on the evening, and wrapped up the scoring and the points.

Farsley skipper James Walshaw had broken the deadlock minutes before the break when he lofted Ben Atkinson’s through ball over keeper Kieran Preston.

The Celts doubled that lead on the stroke of half-time through Atkinson himself, the midfielder hitting a well-struck shot on the turn into the bottom corner.

Both sides had chances early in the second half but the visitors were handed a lifeline when Farsley were reduced to ten men.

Jimmy Pollard was shown a straight red card for denying a goal-scoring opportunity - the last-man scenario - as he brought down Lee Shaw with almost 20 minutes still remaining.

The Celts didn’t just ride it out, however, they extended their lead thanks to Walker’s audacious effort.

The win lifted them back up to fourth in the Evo-Stik League Premier Division as they leapfrogged their Lincolnshire visitors, with Grantham tumbling from sixth to third.

There were also two re-arranged ties in the first qualifying round of the Buildbase FA Vase last night, and they brought differing fortunes for Thackley and Liversedge.

Thackley were heavily beaten at Padiham as the Lancashire side dumped Chris Reape’s men out 5-0.

The hosts snatched an early lead through Jason Hart before Chris Turner added a first-half double.

Hart went on to complete his brace in the second period, and Dominic Gray fired in the last goal to give them a nap hand.

Sedge, meanwhile, booked themselves a second-round tie against Toolstation Northern Counties East League Premier Division rivals Hemsworth Miners' Welfare with a 2-1 win at Prestwich Heys.

Early strikes from Sedge’s Tom White put them 2-0 up after 11 minutes, while Alfie Belcher hit a late consolation for Prestwich.

Tonight both of our local sides in the NCEL Division One are in action as Campion host new boys East Yorkshire Carnegie, while Eccleshill United travel to Sheffield to take on Dronfield Town.