SEVEN months ago, Farsley Celtic were offered, and declined, the chance to be part of a first in York - today, they will be looking to prevent another.

Farsley were one of a number of teams who could have been the first team to play York City in a competitive fixture at the LNER Community Stadium, their number coming up in a National League North fixture set for Saturday, February 13, 2021.

It was no straightforward affair. The competition had descended into chaos, a two-week hiatus to the fixture list not long finished and few teams were willing to take up their fixtures again in the midst of financial uncertainty and a global health crisis.

Four days before the sides were due to meet at Monks Cross, the West Yorkshire outfit unilaterally called off the fixture.

As a result of two pandemic-interrupted seasons, this iteration of Farsley Celtic - reformed in 2010 after the outfit founded in 1908 folded - has yet to complete a full campaign above Step 3.

Adam Lakeland's men have made a decent start to this season, unbeaten after four games and sitting eighth, three points ahead of 17th-placed York.

In order to protect this solid opening, the Celts must avoid becoming the first team to lose a competitive game to York at the Community Stadium.

And a solid opening it has been, if hardly imperious. Farsley won their opener 1-0 at Hereford before recording three draws, in two of which they had to come from behind.

The first of the stalemates may well rankle the most, Farsley having led Chester 2-0 through goals from former York midfielder Tyler Walton and Adam Clayton before a George Waring double earned the visitors a point.

Former Leeds United youth player and one-time Tadcaster Albion loanee Luke Parkin has two goals thus far, getting the winner at Hereford and netting an 86th-minute equaliser at Kettering Town last Saturday.

Ex-Bradford City stalwart James Hanson got the equaliser on Bank Holiday Monday to ensure the Celts got something out of their home game against Blyth Spartans.

Top scorer with 20 goals during their 2018/19 promotion-winning campaign from the Northern Premier League premier division, Jimmy Spencer has yet to get off the mark this term.

Ex-Minsterman Walton had two spells at Bootham Crescent, making one appearance. His only game for City came as a substitute during a 2016 National League loss at Torquay United. He was released at the end of the 2016/17 season but re-signed ahead of the following campaign.

The stand-out of Farsley's summer acquisitions, Hanson, now 33, joined Farsley from Grimsby Town and brings bags of Football League experience to The Citadel.

He spent eight years at the Bantams as they bounced between League One and League Two before featuring for Sheffield United in the Championship, Bury and AFC Wimbledon in League One, and Grimsby in League Two.

The Celts have also brought in a pair of youngsters from Fleetwood Town on loan in 18-year-old defender Sam Bird and goalkeeper Tom Donaghy.

Winger Will Longbottom has joined from Bradford (Park Avenue). He made 10 appearances last year for League of Ireland side Waterford after spending four years at Doncaster Rovers, who loaned him out to Kidderminster Harriers and Gainsborough.