Evo-Stik Division One North: Ramsbottom United 0 Farsley Celtic 7

FARSLEY Celtic turned in a seven-star display as they routed hosts Ramsbottom United to close the gap on leaders Lancaster City.

There were some sumptuous finishes at the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium, and hat-tricks for both Lewis Nightingale and James Walshaw as Farsley consolidated their second place in the table.

Nightingale set the Celts on their way to victory with a rapid-fire brace midway through the first half, and the visitors led 3-0 at the break after Walshaw added his first in the 38th minute.

The Rams had some chances in the first period, and throughout the game, but couldn’t get a foothold.

Walshaw, playing his last game before he serves a suspension for a red card picked up in Saturday’s manic 5-4 win at Hyde United, rattled in goals two and three of his treble inside eight minutes after the interval.

Richard Marshall slotted home Farsley’s sixth, and then Nightingale, who had opened the scoring, wrapped it up with a strike 12 minutes from time.

Rammy stay in tenth spot and are still only six points outside the play-off places.

Farsley still have two games in hand on table-toppers Lancaster and trail by just three points.

Last night’s victory saw them increase the gap on third-placed Trafford to nine points.