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North East Post
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Scott Newby
Sports Editor
12:00 AM 14th October 2024
sports

Dad And Lad: Around The Grounds

 
The first of a new regular column that my young son, Harrison (8 years old), and I will be doing, as we travel around the region watching different football (and other sports) matches; not only writing a match report but also sharing our individual thoughts on the whole matchday experience.

First up was a trip to Nethermoor Park, the home of Guiseley AFC…but unusually, it was not Guiseley that were playing. With Guiseley playing away, and with neighbours Farsley Celtic’s home ground out of action, then for this weekend’s huge FA Cup qualifying match versus Kettering Town, this would be their fortress, or so they hoped. This was the final qualifying round of arguably the world’s most famous club cup competition, so the rewards for victory were huge for these two non-league sides, both in terms of football, and financially.

Despite playing in different tiers of the English pyramid system, the general feeling leading into the match, was that this would be a contest between two evenly matched sides, and so it proved to be, with a last-minute goal separating the two sides, in favour of the away team, Kettering Town.

Driving to the ground, sunglasses were required to block out the blaring sun, and conditions for football were perfect. However, almost as soon as the referee blew his whistle to start the match, the heavens opened and the rain came down, in what felt like buckets. Undeterred by the conditions, Kettering Town started on the front foot and straight away attacks rained down on the Farsley goal. In only the second minute of the match, this early pressure led to the first goal of the match, much to the delight of the vocal away support. A cross into the box from the right wing, was superbly glanced home by the head of midfielder Wes York.

The home side looked shell-shocked, and the whole of the first half followed the same pattern. Kettering dominated the game and created chance after chance, most notably an overhead kick from Captain Connor Johnson cleared off the line, and Isiaih Noel-Williams somehow managing to steer the ball wide of an empty net from inside the 6-yard box. Both sides had deployed different formations, and the 4-2-3-1 of Kettering Town was proving too strong for the home sides 3-4-3 shape. Most notably, the away teams centre midfield pair of Thanoj and Kelly-Evans were controlling the pace of the game, always seeming to be in the right position with and without the ball. Despite this dominance and a shot-counter reaching double figures, Kettering were unable to add to their solitary goal before the half time whistle. Farsley didn’t have any chances of note, although creative midfielder, Danny Greenfield, looked in the mood and showed moments of genuine quality.

A dated cliché perhaps, but football really is a game of two halves. Credit to the Farsley management team who changed formation at half-time to match up with their opponents. From the start of the second half, the contest now felt more even, if not full of flowing football. A stuffy start to the half was brought to life on 55 minutes, when out of nothing, the home side were level. Striker Darren Stephenson cut a frustrated figure in the first half, but when he found himself with the ball in-between two Kettering defenders, he burst into life and powered his way through to get in on goal, and bravely slotted the ball into the net, taking a whack off the goalkeeper in the process.

The remainder of the contest was well-matched and as the realisation of what was at stake for the winner kicked in, it became increasingly feisty on the pitch. With fifteen minutes to go, things started to boil over and the referee had some hard decisions to make…arguably not getting them all right. Firstly, Farsley’s standout performer Greenfield, ghosted passed the last defender before being unceremoniously brought down. Centre-back Lewis White was very fortunate to only receive a yellow card, much to the annoyance of the home fans. Five minutes later, the home fans felt even more aggrieved when combative captain Conor Branson was shown a straight red card for a lunging tackle on the excellent Kelly-Evans. Aggressive tackle? Yes. Won the ball? Yes. In today’s game a free-kick was rightly given due to the overly physical nature of it, but as Branson won the ball, on another day, only a yellow card would have been brandished.

Although down to ten men, the match remained even, and a replay seemed the most likely outcome, but Kettering had other ideas. In the last minute of normal time, Nile Ranger showed some of his former professional quality, with a lovely header into the path of Noel-Williams, who riffled the ball into the roof of the net. It was a finish his father and ex-professional footballer, Gifton, would have been proud of. Noel-Williams had played the part of pantomime villain throughout the match, and almost inevitably, he had the last laugh with this dramatic end to a thoroughly entertaining football match. Shortly afterwards, the final whistle went, and the Kettering players and fans went wild as they celebrated together in the far corner of Nethermoor Park.

Whilst Kettering Town will be excitedly awaiting the FA Cup first round draw on Monday 14th October, Farsley will be left to think about what might have been. They can take encouragement from the second half display and will hope to take that fighting spirit into their next match.

Dad’s View (Scott, aged 43 & ¼)

The first thing that dawned on me when getting ready to head to the match, was the different emotional attachment that I have with the FA Cup compared to my son. The first football match I can remember watching in full was the 1987 FA Cup Final between Tottenham Hotspur and Coventry City. I was only five years old at the time, but Keith Houchen’s diving header lasted long in the memory. Over the decades, the ‘magic’ of the FA Cup has weakened in the eyes of many, but for me, I was like an excited kid again today. And perhaps the real magic of the FA Cup these days is mostly reserved for the so-called less glamourous football clubs. I have no doubt the players and fans of Farsley Celtic and Kettering Town were feeling that magic, and all the excitement and nerves that it brings.

As we entered through the turnstiles, I was again transported back to a simpler time, with ‘She Said’ by The Longpigs blasting out over the Tannoy. As a teenager during the indie pop scene of the nineties, I was in my element. Although disappointed that we were unable to take in the home of Farsley Celtic, which for me would have been a first visit, I really enjoyed the full matchday experience at Nethermoor Park. As a neutral, it was everything you want from a local football match: great atmosphere, good football and lots of drama!

I mentioned in the match report about the rain coming down as the match started. Here, I want to let you all into a little secret…I love it! I am unapologetically a complete football geek and have always been so. Looking through the team-sheets, there were so many side stories to the main event, including some famous names. Nile Ranger has played in the top level of English football, and at times his undoubted quality was evident for all to see. As for Farsley Celtic, they had DJ Campton-Sturridge in their ranks, son of former player Dean, and cousin of ex-England International, Daniel Sturridge.

Following a very enjoyable afternoon, on the drive home I was reflecting on the match and how the magic of the cup was well and truly alive and kicking. The FA Cup still has much to offer – long may that continue.

Lad’s View (Harrison, aged 8 and ¾)

Harrison
Harrison
I really enjoyed my first Farsley Celtic match. Kettering scored in the first minute from number 7, Wes York. It was all Kettering Town, and they should have been winning 2 or 3 nil!

In the second half, Farsley got an equaliser in the 55th minute, and it was a more challenging half for Kettering. Farsley got a red card for a silly slide tackle in the back from captain (number 6) Conor Branson. One minute later, the Kettering coach got a red card for shouting at the ref and stomped off down the sideline! Minutes later, Kettering on the final whistle, scored a roof of the net volley to make it 2-1.

Thanks to referee Benjamin Tomlinson, Assistant Referees Waqar Ahmad & Taylor Metcalf and 4th official Matthew Moss. It was not an easy game to referee, but they did a good job.

I also really enjoyed the music, our seats and the food. At half time, I got some chips which I loved. Sadly, the salt sachets had got wet in the rain, but the chips were still warm and tasty!

My Player of the Match was Tyree Wilson of Kettering Town, because he was very good at dribbling with the ball into space.

Summary
Food – 3.5 hotdogs (rating out of 5)
Matchday Fun – 4 stars (rating out of 5)