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Guiseley went into this match knowing that nothing more than a win would
suffice against mid-table Kendal Town who arrived at Nethermoor with
plentiful support as their coach company had provided free travel for
this last game of the season. The home side were dealt a blow as leading
scorer James Hanson was hobbling about on crutches as a result of an
injury sustained a week before at Worksop.
in a quiet opening Guisley looked the more lively as Gavin Knight tested
David Newnes with a low shot despite the attentions of David Standley
and Paul Byrne. It was however the Cumbrians who had the first real
chance to take the lead when defender Simon Sturdy tripped Carl Osman in
the area only for Michael Cole to rattle the bar with the resultant spot
kick.
With thirty minutes gone the play-off hopefuls took the initiative as
skipper Richard Dunning slipped a ball to Sean Taylforth for the winger
to leave substitute Andy Leigh for dead and drill an unstoppable shot
across Newnes and into the far corner for the opener. Piotr Skiba then
came to Guiseley rescue with a superb block from Ian Kilford and Newnes
clawed away Aron Wilford's back header at the other end as the game
suddenly sprang to life.
Lee Crooks fired one over the Kendal bar before Paul Fildes beat the
offside trap but found the impressive Skiba blocking his way. The
visitors were not to be denied however and as a free kick rebounded back
off the wall, Michael Cole made amends for his earlier miss with a shot
that went in of the post.
Osman took a long ball down and blasted a powerful shot at Skiba but Lee
Mulvaney wasted the opportunity and pout his shot wide of the target but
for the second time in a week it was Guiseley who grabbed the winner
through goal poacher Gavin Knight as harmless looking ball was played
forward Tony Hallam and Craig Hobson dithered and Knight took adventage
to lob the ball over a stranded Newnes from twenty yards out. However,
the victory was tempered by the news that Eastwwod had secured the
required three points at Leek leaving Guiseley just one point short of
the play-offs.
Star man: Richard Dunning (Guiseley)
Entertainment value: ****
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