West Riding County Cup first round: Farsley Celtic 4 Knaresborough Town 1

FARSLEY Celtic became the first team to beat Knaresborough Town this season as the West Riding County Cup holders comfortably overcame their initial hurdle en route to defending their trophy.

The Celts had a huge advantage over their visitors in terms of league placings, but Toolstation Northern Counties East Division One leaders Knaresborough had not tasted defeat since Leeds United’s under-18s beat them in their final pre-season friendly.

It took just six minutes to penetrate Town's defence, Luke Parkin pouncing to net his first goal for the Celts, and Adam Porritt doubled the home side’s lead soon after with a well-struck shot that found the top corner.

Knaresborough pegged a goal back before the break when Steve Bromley headed home an inviting 38th-minute cross, but the Celts stamped their authority on the tie in the second half as Porritt grabbed his second before Isaac Baldwin completed the scoring nine minutes from time.

Campion - Knaresborough’s NCEL lower-tier counterparts - beat an Evo-Stik League side as they knocked out Ossett Town, winning 4-1 at Ingfield.

The hosts are a division below Farsley in the First Division North, but they were still strong favourites to beat James Bicknell’s men.

Campion led 2-0 at the break after goals from Thomas Robinson and Brighton Mugadza.

Talent Ndlovu then added a third before the hosts hit back through Ryan Ferguson, but Mugadza netted his second to wrap up the scoring.

Thackley will join Farsley and Campion in the second round as they earned a home tie against FC Halifax Town after beating Glasshoughton Welfare 3-1 on penalties.

The Dennyboys had home advantage over the Welfare, who play their football a step below Thackley in the NCEL.

Glasshoughton took a first-half lead through Mitchell Wiltshire, but Matthew Cunliffe’s second-half strike took the tie to the penalty shoot- out.

Mike Garrod, Kesi Omolokun and Joe Hughes were all on target, while Thackley keeper Ben Higginson saved two of the visitors’ spot-kicks.

Liversedge were sent spinning out after a late flourish from Ossett’s league rivals Goole AFC.

The Vikings netted four goals inside the last 14 minutes after Sedge had levelled the tie early in the second half.

Piteu Crouz gave the Vikings a first-half lead but Tom Brook equalised.

Inside the final quarter-hour, a brace from the visitors’ Tyler Williams gave Goole a two-goal lead.

Terry Barwick added a fourth and former Farsley Celtic and Eccleshill United striker Marcus Edwards made it a nap hand for the visitors in the last minute.

Two of the area’s club’s have home advantage in tonight’s ties, with Albion Sports hosting NCE top-tier rivals Harrogate Railway Athletic.

Kulwinder Sandhu’s Lions were heavily beaten at AFC Mansfield in the league at the weekend but they will be hoping to bounce back with a cup victory tonight against the Rail, who are second bottom in the form table after losing their last six fixtures.

Eccleshill United also have a home tie, but they may not be favourites as they host NCE Division One counterparts Yorkshire Amateur.

Both sides are pushing for promotion in the league and, although the Eagles’ long winning run was ended last Saturday, they remain fifth.

The Ammers currently occupy the runners-up spot but are only five points better off than Eccleshill, who have two games in hand.

With the clubs so close in the league, tonight’s tie could come down to which manager wants to play his strongest squad.