Celts slip as Vics hit back to grab spoils (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Two red cards add to thriller as Syers nets at both ends

4:51pm Sunday 24th January 2010 in Sport By Ian Whiting

Farsley Celtic 2, Northwich Victoria 3

Farsley Celtic were edged out by the odd goal in five as the two clubs battling for Blue Square North survival under the burden of a ten-point deduction went head to head at Throstle Nest.

The home side twice edged in front but were pegged back on both occasions by a feisty Northwich Victoria, who went on to win the game.

Their players, supporters and directors celebrated wildly at the final whistle after a remarkable game, it meant that much to them.

By then each side had only ten men on the pitch and the Celts’ Dave Syers, who had begun in midfield and ended up in goal, had scored for both. Marching orders had been given to Vic’s skipper Simon Grand and Farsley keeper Piotr Skiba.

With Celts boss Neil Parsley recovering from recent surgery, the team was picked and run by his two right-hand men Simeon Bambrook and Mark Jackson.

One of them was an unused substitute but centre back Jackson had a bird’s eye view as he played the entire game.

“I spoke to Andy (Northwich boss Preece) after the game and we felt the same, that the ref could have got the pair of them together, given them a lecture and got on with the game,” said Jackson of the double sending off a minute before the break.

“We all want to see players stay on the pitch when it’s at all possible and I think it was in this case, although the ref has followed the letter of the law.

“What did strike me about the game was that it didn’t look like either of the sides were relegation candidates.

“You have to give credit to Northwich because they are a big side who work really hard for each other.

“From our perspective, I’m disappointed that we have taken the lead twice and haven’t closed the game out. We are a young side and show naivety at times, so we have to learn quickly.”

Northwich started well without really putting Skiba to work but the Celts had got into the game and were good value for their first lead.

They broke the deadlock in the 41st minute when Gareth Grant broke down the left and his low centre was swept in by Syers.

The incident that preceded the sending off was a free-kick to Northwich that ended with Skiba making a superb save to deny Matthew Bailey.

As Skiba clutched the ball to him, Grand arrived late and stood on his arm, to which the keeper reacted by thrusting his head into the big defender’s midriff as he got up.

The referee handed Grand a yellow card, his second in minutes after over-protesting about Farsley’s goal, and Skiba a straight red. It took almost five minutes to get the game restarted as players from both sides remonstrated.

In the second half, towering defender Bailey levelled when he muscled Jackson out of the way to convert a corner with a firm, stooping header.

Grant provided another assist just after the hour and his cross was controlled and fired in on the turn by Lee Ellington.

The Celts’ second-time lead lasted just three minutes. A swift break ended with a cut back to the corner of the area and Jimmy Spencer’s low drive hit the base of the post. It came back and hit the shoulder of the diving Syers before bouncing into the net.

The visitors snatched their winner ten minutes from time when Brian Dutton got on the end of a long punt. His header was goalbound and still went in despite Jackson’s slight deflection as he tried to steer it wide.