Guiseley AFC

Archive for the ‘Ladies Team News’ Category

After a difficult season the ladies’ team last night hosted Barnsley Ladies in possibly one the most important game in the clubs history. With new players and a high volume of frustrating injuries making the season a rollercoaster ride, the ladies faced the prospect of relegation if they were unable to seal a vital three points from the final game of the season.

With two teams facing the drop this season it came down to the last game for the ladies’ fate to be decided, with Sheffield United Blades having played all 22 fixtures and sitting two points clear of Guiseley nothing more than a win would save the team from dropping into the North East Regional Northern League which they were promoted from in the 2007/2008 season.

With previous fixtures against the Tykes resulting in a 2-0 cup defeat and 3-0 away defeat Guiseley were certainly going in as underdogs, however Barnsley were to see a different side to the team this time out.

With a full bench Guiseley started the game with passion and fire in their bellies, Laura Danskin played her first game at centre half and cemented a strong partnership with captain Katie Matthews to show a strong defensive backline alongside right back Caroline Cropp and left back Neely Murrell.  Both Cropp and Murrell have played out of position for most of the season and showed their true adaptable qualities by putting in a solid performance and showed sheer drive and determination to keep the tricky Barnsley forwards at bay.

The ladies used the width of the Nethermoor pitch to their advantage with balls finding in form winger Julie Richardson to cross in a pinpoint ball to meet Lindsey “skip” Hopton who made no mistake of smashing home for the opener. “Skip” has recently moved from midfield to forward adding to her goal tally and forging a dangerous partnership with top goal scorer Caroline Hulme.

Guiseley continued to press and defend as a team with great play from Alarna Fuller and Abi Garland in the centre of midfield, with balls being fed through to Richardson and Sarah Lawn on the left wing.  Lawn worked well with Neely Murrell to stop Barnsley playing their trademark balls down the wing with Murrell working well with Richardson also to switch balls into dangerous areas.

Guiseley doubled their lead after 30 minutes with a wonderfully worked goal by Caroline Hulme who made a darting solo run, coolly finished by slotting the ball past the advancing keeper.

The ladies entered the break 2-0 up with Barnsley causing little threat.

With passion flowing through the Guiseley veins and a motivating halftime rallying from manager Phil Riley the girls went out firing with more dominating passing play. Barnsley struggled to break through the Guiseley defence but did cause a threat with a few long range firing shots hitting the bar and angle to give Guiseley a warning shot, although goalkeeper Katie Jesson looked to have it covered with yet another solid performance. With Sarah Lawn now coming into her stride and using her pace she took the Barnsley defence on a blistering run and calmly slotted past the Barnsley keeper to put Guiseley 3-0 up and giving the team some breathing space.

However Barnsley did peg a goal back with a fearsome and unstoppable strike to make the score now 3-1. The goal made Guiseley take note of the importance of the game and battled on in true warrior fashion.

The team seemed to never run out of steam and were able to add fresh legs which had been a reoccurring issue, often playing with a squad of 11 with no options for substitutions.  Amy Parker made way for Caroline Hulme, followed by Polly Flides replacing Caroline Cropp going in at right back.  The final change came just after a trademark free kick from Abi Garland which was blocked by the Barnsley defence but was destined for the bottom corner.  The final change came with Carley Nicholson making way for Garland who along with Alarna Fuller formed a solid partnership, giving freedom to the wingers to press until the final minutes.

With the final whistle blown, the Guiseley players were jubilant and celebrated in style. With the final league table not showing the true story of the ladies season, with many games ending in unlucky and undeserved defeats the ladies will bounce back and go into the 2012/13 with confidence and determination to prove to all the teams that GTown are force to be reckoned with!

Player of the match went to Julie Richardson for the second game in a row but I’m sure most who watched the game will have said the winner was team spirit on the night.

The ladies now look forward to enjoying the end of season presentation evening and will be competing in various 5 a side tournament’s before preseason commences late July.

Guiseley AFC Ladies are actively recruiting players for the 2012/13 season. If you’re interested or you would like further information about the club or pre season, please call Club Secretary Jenny Taylor.

Tel: 0798 9572236 or Email : jentaylor06@hotmail.co.uk

Ladies are Powerleague Tournament Champions 2012

Guiseley AFC Ladies were crowned the Lucozade Powerleague Tournament Champions last night, after beating Castleford White Rose in the final 1-0. The ladies played in the tournament hosted at Powerleague Leeds North, which had a champions league format comprising of two leagues. All group fixtures and finals were played on the same evening, and FA affiliated clubs from across West Yorkshire took part.

Guiseley entered two teams X and Y, which were drawn in the same league, and therefore had to play each other once. Other teams in the league were Castleford White rose, who are currently in The Womens North East Premier League, the same league as the ladies. The league also comprised of West Leeds Ladies FC, Wigton Girls FC/Leeds City Vixens and Wigton Moor Ladies FC. The Guiseley ‘X’ team won three of their games, drew one and lost one which resulted in them finishing third in the table with ten points and missing out on a semi-final spot through goal difference. Guiseley ‘Y’ team had better luck in the group stage. Their first fixture against West Leeds finished in a 1-0 win to the ladies which gave them three points in the league. They also beat West Leeds 3-0, but lost to White rose 1-0 which was a disappointing result as the ladies dominated the game. When both Guiseley sides faced each other, it was a tough, nervy encounter, as neither side wanted to concede. Guiseley ‘Y’ goal-keeper Erin Boswell made an excellent save just before full-time to keep the score at 0-0. Both sides took the point and Guiseley ‘Y’ went into their final game against Wigton Moor Ladies needing a win to proceed to the semi finals. Again a very close game, Guiseley got a winner though through Julie Richardson two minutes from time. This gave the ladies a 2-1 victory which sent them through to the semi finals finishing second in the league, behind Castleford White Rose Ladies FC.

The semi finals saw the Guiseley ‘Y’ team face Kirklees Ladies FC, and Castleford White Rose face Wortley Ladies FC. Goals from Guiseleys’ Katie Matthews and Lindsey Hopton gave the ladies a 2-1 win and meant that they were to face league rivals Castleford White Rose in the tournament final.

As ever, when these two sides face each other it is a physical contest. Neither side wanted to concede a goal and both teams worked hard defensively to block every shot at goal. The conditions were poor, the rain had meant the 3G surface was now very wet and difficult for goal-keepers. A speculative shot from Guiseleys’ Jenny Taylor 15 yards out was fumbled by White Roses’ unlucky ‘keeper. The ball slipped underneath her body into the goal. Guiseley were under pressure for the rest of the match, as White Rose threw everything they had at them. The ladies were strong though. They held on to the lead to take the tournament champions crown and receive the Lucozade Powerleague Winners 2012 trophy.

Many thanks to Powerleague Leeds North at Seacroft for organising the event.

Guiseley Ladies embarked in a bottom two clash with Hartlepool based St Francis this weekend with both sides seeking a much needed 3 points. The home side took the 3 points when the teams met 5 weeks ago in a thrilling 1-2 Guiseley win. However in a similar fashioned game is was St Francis who walked jubilant with the 3 points.

Guiseley started the game with intent and took an early lead when Captain Katie Matthews headed in the opener from a pinpoint corner from Abi Garland. After some very strong possession Guiseley continued to press with some glorious chances but Guiseley couldn’t capitalise on the chances and were unlucky. With St Francis not really coming into the game, they broke through a high ball to which the St Francis striker broke away from the defence and lobbed the advancing Guiseley keeper.

With tensions high in this crucial game, Guiseley continued to press and were unfortunate to go to the dressing rooms at half time with the score 1-1.

The second half was very much a replica of the first with Guiseley continuing to press and St Francis not making much passing play, Guiseley again had chances from corners and free play but were struggling to find the back of the net. Caroline Hulme was very unlucky with some fantastic holding play creating chance after chance.

With around 25 minutes left to play St Francis made the most of their limited chances with a shot from close range initially saved but the rebound going straight to the St Francis striker who calmed found the back of the net.

Guiseley continued to battle and debuts were given to new signings Polly Fildes and Laura Danskin, Fildes making her second debut for Gusieley having rejoined the team after a 2 year absence. Both girls added fresh legs and pace to the game with again Guiseley having chances to take control of the game. Unfortunately the girls couldn’t find that final ball and the game ended 1-2 to the away side. With a disappointing spell of 3 league defeats, the girls will play their home game from Otley Town’s pitch next Sunday with second places Hull City Ladies. Kick off 2pm – All supporters welcome!

The ladies team travelled up to Peterlee in hope to grab 3 points after the great performance against Sheffield Blades last week. The team started with the same line up, however wingers, Carley Nicolson and Sophhie Morley were unable to play, so Neely Murrell and Julie Richardson stepped in.

Guiseley started the half really well and found their stride in passing the ball about and had a few early chances. Peterlee found themselves 1-0 after a penalty was awarded to them after a handball in the area.

Peterlee then started to Dominate and Guiseley found themselves on the back foot. Peterlee scored from a well worked set peice to make it 2-0. Guiseley dug deep and were rewarded with a great goal by Linsdey Hopton after putting pressure on the Peterlee defence and causing them to make a mistake and burying the ball into the back of the net. Peterlee responded with a goal from the outside of the area after some good linking up play.

3-1 to Peterlee Half Time.

Guiseley started the 2nd half well and settled back into the game. Caroline Cropp gave way for Kristy Rimpas 10 minutes into the 2nd half due to a thigh strain and saw Neely slot back into Left back and Kristy onto left wing. The 2nd half saw Guiseley start again well again dominating and a great ball from Amy Parker saw Caroline Hulme one on one with the goalkeeper who pulled off a great save, only for Parker to follow up put the ball in the back of the net. Guiseley didnt give up and some great work from Kristy on the left switched the ball over to Amy Parker who played Julie Richardson in to thump home the equaliser!

Spirits were high with the girls and they started to take the game into thier stride, sloppy play in the area caused Peterlee to pick up a loose ball and fire home their fourth. Julie Richardson who had played a great game had to give way 20mins from the end with suspected bruised ribs after a bad collision. With Guiseley only having 10 players on the pitch didnt stop them from digging deep and working hard. 5 minutes from the end Peterlee fired home a 5th.

Man of the match was awarded to Amy Parker for her dominating presence upfront.