AS the season nears the halfway mark, it is perhaps best to say that Farsley Celtic have had a mixed campaign so far.

They have been unable to gain a truly substantial period of form in the National League North and as such currently sit in the lower half of the table, only a handful of points above the sole relegation spot.

An early season managerial change has undoubtedly had an impact on the campaign and, in truth, the Celts have looked better since the arrival of Neil Ross, on the back of long-serving boss Adam Lakeland’s departure to Curzon Ashton in late October.

The form domestically has certainly been inconsistent and the cup competitions, on the whole, haven’t been particularly amazing either.

A shock loss to City of Liverpool saw Farsley bow out of the FA Cup in the second qualifying round and they saw themselves eliminated from the FA Trophy in the third round.

The West Riding County Cup, however, has perhaps been the biggest source of smiles and optimism for fans this season.

A recent victory over Garforth Town saw the Celts progress to the quarter-finals of the competition, where they will visit Campion, a stage from which they can make a true charge towards the silverware.

As for picking out some highlights and lowlights of the season...

Best performance - Farsley Celtic 1 AFC Fylde 0

In one of Adam Lakeland’s final games as Farsley manager, his team put in a particularly memorable performance.

At the time, Fylde were unbeaten and sitting pretty atop the National League North, while Farsley had won just one of their last eight league games, so it was hardly a game many fans entered with optimism.

Farsley came out firing and were rewarded with an early lead after a defensive mix-up from the visitors.

Confusion between the Fylde goalkeeper and one of his defenders presented an opportunity for former Bradford City striker James Hanson to pounce and he did just that, producing a superb lob to score from almost 30 yards out.

A barrage of Fylde pressure followed that goal, with their attackers furiously seeking an equaliser.

Despite this, the Celts were able to hold their own against the league leaders, and in the end they saw out a hugely impressive 1-0 victory in a game that proved just how good they can be.

Worst performance - Spennymoor Town 6 Farsley Celtic 0

This surely doesn’t need much explaining. It was a game in which Farsley could scarcely create any opportunities to score and one in which such a lack of creativity would be punished.

Ruthless in their pressing, Spennymoor thrashed Farsley in a game that players and fans alike no doubt wish to forget.

The battering came a week after a 4-2 defeat at the hands of York City at the start of September, a game that ended the four-game unbeaten streak that Farsley had managed throughout August.

It would be October before the Celts won another game, after seeing out a September that saw them lose another league game (3-0 at home to Alfreton Town), as well as be eliminated from the FA Cup.

That woeful 3-0 cup defeat at City of Liverpool is in itself definitely an honourable mention for the worst game of the season.

It was hardly a month many at the club would want to remember.

Signing of the season - Tom Allan

As is often the case with lower league football, many new faces have graced The Citadel this season, but none have made quite the impact that Tom Allan has.

The defender signed from Alfreton Town at the beginning of the campaign and has been an ever-present in the first XI since.

A defender that can play at left-back or centre-back, and one that is key at both ends of the pitch, former York City man Allan has provided value in the defence and attack alike.

His goal against Garforth in the West Riding County Cup was a spectacular solo effort that saw him charge forward from centre-half on a marauding run before rifling the ball into the roof of the net.

As unafraid of bringing the ball upfield as he is defending at the other end, he has certainly been Farsley’s standout signing of the season.