Match Sponsored by Terra Firma
Farsley Celtic visit Nethermoor Park on Boxing Day for a West Yorkshire Derby with kick-off at 3pm.
Tickets are available to purchase on the day at the turnstiles as normal or online in advance here.
The Lions come into the game with a hard earned point picked up at Edgar Street on Saturday behind them which made it three unbeaten on the road.
Wins at Nethermoor however have been much harder to come across in recent months for Marcus Bignot and Russ O’Neill’s side with the last win coming back in September following narrow defeats to Kidderminster Harriers and Brackley Town in the last two league games on home soil. This is the last home game of the decade so they will be looking to end with a win to cap off a remarkable ten years in LS20.
The side was boosted by the signing of Chris Sang on a one month loan deal from Barnsley just in time for the festive fixture backlog, the striker added a presence up front and played the full 90 minutes in Herefordshire.
Scott Garner will serve the second of his three game suspension and Aaron Martin may still be out with the injury he sustained in the Buildbase FA Trophy tie with AFC Telford United.
Farsley Celtic meanwhile have had a 2019 to remember after securing the Evo Stik Premier Division title and promotion to the Vanarama National League North in April and they currently sit in the last play off spot in 7th place.
They’re undefeated in the last seven games in all competitions including Saturday’s 2-1 win over Leamington, with their last loss coming at home to Boston United on 16th November.
Their squad is littered with former Guiseley men including Danny Ellis who is our academy’s Assistant Manager, Dave Syers, Akeel Francis, Luke Parkin and Assistant Manager Mark Bett all familiar faces to the home faithful.
Speaking after the stalemate at Edgar Street Joint Manager Marcus Bignot said “This is a very good point, if you look at our last three away games we have picked up five points with a win at Gateshead, a draw at Leamington and another draw today, it is something to build upon and is very encouraging.”
“We spoke to the players after the game and it was a no goals against performance, a fully deserved clean sheet, I cannot really remember Marcus making a save. I never felt under pressure or a period of the game where they had territory, to come here and play 90 minutes like that especially when they are attacking their home end shows we managed the game really well. We didn’t come here and park the bus by no means, we are disappointed we haven’t scored today.”
When asked about the addition of Chris Sang Bignot said “It is a young group and a long, long season especially the period we are coming into now, prior to the Darlington game being called off it was something like seven games in 21 days. We needed bodies, we have lost Aaron Martin, Scott Garner and you saw today loads of enthusiasm, I thought he acquitted himself very well, he brought his ability, fitted in really well and can be really pleased with his performance, he was unlucky not to score especially after just one training session with us, it must have been a really good session!”
24 Lions supporters made the long trip down to Edgar Street on the weekend before Christmas and Marcus was keen to thank them for their efforts “Us as a management team and the players really do appreciate the supporters, it is shown at home games when we come in and spend time with them after the game and it shown after games when we go and show our appreciation, a lot of gratitude is shown to supporters.”
Looking ahead to the derby the Joint Manager said “We know what it means to supporters and how personal it is, our players have got to show that personality our supporters are looking for in a derby game, we are looking forward to it.”
Christmas Cash Draw tickets will be available to purchase at the Supporters’ Club Desk ahead of the draw on 4th January, they’re just £1 each with three big cash prizes on offer, find out more here.
The Club Shop will be open before, during and after the game on Boxing Day, half-season tickets and much, much more will be available to purchase.
In association with LV Bet.
