Tough Trophy test

Having disposed of three Step 4 clubs in the Buildbase FA Trophy so far, Reds are now mixing it with higher-ranked opponents with National North Farsley Celtic due at Borough Park on Saturday (3pm).

Last season, Reds and Celtic were on an equal footing but, after contrasting campaigns, went in opposite directions at the end of April.

Celtic were promoted as champions to regain their place in National North whilst Reds suffered relegation and dropped into BetVictor North West.

They inflicted a straightforward double over us last term, winning 1-0 at Borough Park thanks to a second half goal from Jimmy Spencer and then strolled to a 2-0 victory in the return with Spencer again on the score sheet.

But Reds are in a better place than they were then and only three players – Sam Smith, Conor Tinnion and Dav Symington – who played against Farsley eight months ago are likely to face Adam Lakeland’s side in the Third Round Qualifying tie.

Brad Carroll, who also featured against Celtic in March, may not be ready to resume despite resuming light training. The midfielder hasn’t featured since the end of September.

This will be the first time the clubs have met in the Trophy but the 44th encounter overall. The head-to-head confirms that Celtic are enjoying the bragging rights at the moment winning seventeen of the matches to date compared to Reds’ fifteen successes.

Should the match result in a draw, the replay will be at Celtic’s Throstle Nest ground on Tuesday 26 November (7.45pm).