Sunday 4^th May 2008

Guiseley Ladies AFC  2    Team Northumbria  1

Guiseley Ladies finished their season off with a decisive win over second bottom Team Northumbria. The weather for a second week running didn’t help the playing conditions on a heavy Nethermoor pitch, but both sides started confidently and coped well with the conditions. With some of the Guiseley Girls Junior teams watching, the ladies had an extra incentive to finish the season off with a good display. Guiseleys’ Katie Jesson came into the side to replace Sophie Nundy up front, with the rest of the side remaining identical to the team that beat Lumley the previous Sunday. Team Northumbria started well and seemed determined to gain a win which would take them closer to safety in the table, having just one fixture remaining. The away side were restricted to long range efforts for the first 20 minutes, and a break down in their attack led to Guiseleys’ opening goal. A long ball over the top of the Northumbrian defence from centre back Jenny Taylor gave top scorer Sarah Dunn chance to put the home side in the lead. Dunn took the ball around two defenders and placed it away from the ‘keeper into the back of the Team Northumbrian net. Guiseley continued to pressure and create chances. Rachel Dainty, as she has all season, provided pin point crosses into Northumbrias’ penalty box. Some poor finishing and good goal-keeping kept the score at 1-0 up until the 40^th minute mark. The second goal came when midfielder Jo Sigley crossed the ball to the back post where Guiseleys’ Clare Jenkins was waiting to pounce. A rare headed goal from Jenkins gave the ladies a 2-0 lead going into the half-time break.

Team Northumbria came out for the second half a different side. They played the ball well from the back but struggled at times to penetrate through the Guiseley defence. A lapse in concentration though within the last 15 minutes gave the away side a life-line. A well-timed ball through the home sides’ back line was pounced on quickly by Northumbrias’ top scorer. Jo Farquhar, Guiseleys’ ‘keeper stood no chance and just had to watch the ball calmly driven past her into the home sides’ net. With the score at 2-1, Guiseley made changes, bringing Sophie Nundy on for Katie Jesson, and Vicky Winters replaced Rachel Dainty. Team Northumbria struggled to work their way through the Guiseley defence and the ladies held on to finish the season with a deserved win.

Guiseley Ladies are currently seeking sponsorship for the 2008/09 season. If you would like further information, or details regarding the benefits of sponsoring the ladies team at Guiseley, please contact Club Secretary Jenny Taylor on 0798 9572236.