Evo-Stik League Integro League Cup: Farsley Celtic 5 Goole AFC 2

A CHRIS Howarth hat-trick helped to ease Farsley Celtic into the third round of the Evo-Stik League Cup as they came from a goal down to put Division One North counterparts Goole out of the competition.

Goole are currently resting in the relegation places but last night’s performance belied that lowly position.

They troubled their hosts and, after taking a lead midway through the first half, they hit back to level the tie soon after the break.

The visitors had already hit a post, former Bradford Park Avenue man Sanchez Payne being denied by the woodwork, before they broke the deadlock in the 26th minute through Charlie Shelley.

Farsley had to work hard and be patient but they were rewarded with two late first-half strikes.

Skipper Aaron Hardy set up Lewis Nightingale for the equaliser, and Ryan Serrant’s shot on the stoke of half-time beat Goole keeper Tom Collins after taking a deflection.

It was the Celts’ keeper Graeme McKibbon who was being tested at the start of the second half, and Goole’s leveller came as no surprise.

A through ball in the 51st minute found Danny Chambers and he slotted in.

Howarth put Farsley back in front on the hour when he ended a good run by cutting inside and shooting past Collins from inside the area.

That was the first of a rare treble for the former Avenue utility man.

Nightingale turned provider 12 minutes from time as his deep cross was headed home by Howarth, who was later given the chance to claim his hat-trick from the penalty spot.

Richard Marshall was fouled inside the area in the penultimate minute and Howarth stepped up to send the spot-kick past Collins.

There will be no love lost when the Celts play Ashton United on Valentine’s Day in the third round.