and after making seven appearances was unable to feature for over a month due to poor form and a thigh problem. After a struggle to regain fitness, Farrell made his return after coming on as a 69th-minute substitute against Southern League Division One Midlands team Rushall Olympic in the fourth qualifying round of the FA Cup and proceeded to score the third fastest hat-trick in York's history and provide an assist for a fourth goal. Following this, he was voted as player of the round for the fourth qualifying round of the FA Cup. He signed a new contract with York in May 2008. Farrell scored a goal and provided two assists during a 3–3 draw away to Stevenage Borough in October 2008 after playing as a striker alongside Onome Sodje, which he hoped would see him play in that position on further occasions. York manager Colin Walker challenged him to affirm himself as a striker, and was guaranteed a place in the team for their game against Cambridge United; the first time he would have started consecutive games since August 2008. Conference North club Gateshead attempted to sign Farrell on loan in January 2009 for the remainder of the 2008–09 season, but he rejected this offer, saying he was not interested in moving down a division. On 31 January 2009, he joined York's Conference Premier rivals Oxford United on loan until the end of the season. He made his debut a day later in a 2–1 victory over Lewes. His first goal came in the following game against Barrow, after being assisted by Lewis Haldane, in a game that finished 3–0. He finished the spell with two goals in 15 appearances. Rushden & Diamonds Farrell joined Conference Premier club Rushden & Diamonds on 12 June 2009, as part of an exchange deal plus £10,000 from York, for striker Michael Rankine. Farrell missed only three matches for Rushden in the 2009–10 season, making 48 appearances and scoring 12 goals. Having scored one goal from 19 matches in the 2010–11 season, he was released by Rushden in May 2011. AFC Telford United Farrell signed for newly promoted Conference Premier club AFC Telford United on 27 June 2011. After making 17 appearances and scoring two goals for Telford he was loaned out to Conference North club Hinckley United on 4 January 2012. He left Telford by mutual consent on 31 January. Hinckley