With Guiseley leading two-nil from Wednesday’s first leg, a touch of class from former Ferriby player Wayne Brooksby confirmed their place in next Saturday’s Skrill North Play-Off Final at Altrincham, whose late double strike disposed of Hednesford Town.
The home side had offered little in the way of resistance until Steve Dickinson pulled off two superb stops from Danny Clarke in the 80th minute, by which time the Lions had killed the game off.
Steven Drench and Alex Johnson returned to the squad, both on the bench, as Mark Bower chose to open at a sun-drenched Grange Lane with the eleven that had started Wednesday’s first leg .
Adam Boyes was the first to get his head on a cross but he was wide of the target, and it proved to be a scrappy first half as both sides found chances at a premium.
Andy Holdsworth did well to block Anthony Wilson’s effort, but as chances continued to be few and far between the crucial breakthrough came on 63 minutes. Brooksby won a battle with Peat and drilled the ball past Adam Nicklin and into the bottom corner.
Ferriby eventually discovered some attacking verve but they found veteran ‘keeper Dickinson more than equal to their efforts, and substitute Alex Johnson could have wrapped it up shortly afterwards.
He picked the pocket of Paul Robson only for the ball to deflect off Nicklin and on to the bar to deny the lively striker.
After that, the Lions elected to see the game out to inflict a fourth defeat this season on the Villagers and move into the play-off final against Altrincham on Saturday.
Coaches to the play-off final at Altrincham will leave Nethermoor at 11.30am – full details on the away games section of our website.
Delighted manager Mark Bower’s reaction to today’s win
Team:
1 – Dickinson
2 – Holdsworth (C)
3 – Parker
4 – Hall
5 – Ellis
6 – Lawlor
7 – Brooksby 63 (Meynell)
8 – Boshell (Potts)
9 – Boyes
10 – O Johnson (A Johnson)
11 – Rothery
12 – Meynell
14 – A Johnson
15 – Potts
16 – Holsgrove
18 – Drench
