With a month to go until the big kick-off, Michael Morton and Simon Collins continued to experiment with personnel as we reached the half-way point of the pre-season campaign.

It was a largely uneventful first forty five before the inevitable substitutions provided a greater threat in the final third. The only goal of the friendly came six minutes from time as wing-back Ellis Barkworth curled precisely into the bottom corner rounding off a gorgeous move.

Albion were certainly impressive in sporadic spells but it can’t be forgotten that opponents Farsley reached the play-offs in the division above last season. Taddy introduced two trialists for the final half an hour in striker Lamin Colley and former Leeds United man Jack Vann, both of which catching the eye.

The 1-0 victory also continued Michael Ingham’s unbeaten pre-season record with the Northern Irishman having little to do. Former Darlington front man Nathan Cartman fancied beating the big man between the sticks but his well-struck volley was superbly blocked by Harry Coates.

It was a somewhat sloppy opening with both sides carelessly gifting possession away frequently as Morton vented his frustrations on the touchline. Having said that, a moment of brilliance almost opened the scoring for Taddy on 15 minutes. The wizarding winger that is Billy Whitehouse anticipated and intercepted the ball on the right flank, shuck off Will Hayhurst, drove dangerously in-field and bent a beauty of a shot which agonisingly kissed off of both posts before Ed Hall gleefully collected.

As aforementioned, there wasn’t much to write home about in the first half but Celtic’s best moment arose on the stroke of the break as Nathan Cartman cleverly feinted inside Barkworth but couldn’t fire beyond Josh Barrett who blocked well.

Up to this point Taddy had picked up no fresh injuries in pre-season however this changed five minutes into the second half when Pete Davidson was caught late by Ryan Watson. The man they call the Yorkshire Pirlo had be helped off by physio Lucy Lendhill and teammate Josh Barrett. Davidson has been advised to go get an x-ray scan but is expected to be out for several weeks.

The second half began to open up slightly with the plethora of changes made by both as just before departing the field Joe Pugh couldn’t volley past Hall after Ellis Barkworth sent the striker through on goal.

Trialist Lamin Colley has featured for Bradford Park Avenue and Boston United to name just two as the towering centre forward looked hungry to make an impact. He went close to finding the net when he stretched his legs soaring past both Kurt Harris and Adam Clayton before forcing Ed Hall to make a save. The rebound fell to Alex Metcalfe, who was involved in starting the move off, he instinctively flicked goalwards only for Jack Higgins to get in the way and deflect the effort just wide.

Colley was involved in the resulting corner when the set-piece came out to the forward and he jinked away from Higgins before arrowing a strike narrowly over the bar, much to his frustration.

Farsley then enjoyed their best spell of the match as several half chances came and went. Ingham remained untroubled though as Cartman’s deflected effort spun wide before the former York City number one comfortably gathered Ryan Watson’s drilled free-kick from distance. It was a promising five minute spell from the visitors who’s best chance fell to Will Hayhurst but he dragged his shot wide.

However the only goal of the game was scored by former Hull City professional Ellis Barkworth and what a glorious goal it was. There were a number of different factors that made it such an aesthetically pleasing goal as the versatile defence initially jinked past one orange shirt, drove inside, swept into Alex Metcalfe’s who’s swift return was met by a brilliant touch before cutting back onto his favourite side and curling coolly into the bottom corner. Not bad for your first goal.

In actual fact Taddy should have finished more comfortable winners when Lamin Colley sent Joe Lumsden into a completely empty half but for goalkeeper Ed Hall who in the end saved with his trailing leg.

Full-Time: Taddy 1-0 Farsley Celtic