Guiseley suffered an agonising 2-0 defeat at struggling Warrington Town in newly installed interim manager Liam Ridehalgh’s first game in charge, writes David Bridson.
Dynamic winger Liam Brazier opened the scoring on 29 minutes, flicking home from a crisp Niall Watson cross.
Reece Daly’s sly shot slipped past Joe Cracknell to double the home side’s lead six minutes into the second half.
An injury to the recently returned Leo Farrell dealt the Lions a further hammerblow.
The game began scrappily with both sides waging war in midfield.
Brazier picked up the first of four Town bookings for a foul on Conor Ferguson just nine minutes in.
Will Longbottom was coolly slotted through by Amir Berchil on 26 minutes but away goalkeeper Liam Isherwood was quickly off his line to block Longbottom’s fierce effort.
Three minutes later Town took advantage of Farrell losing the ball, launched a sublime counter attack and went ahead.
The enterprising Mark Isong provided a neat ball across to Brazier on 31 minutes but his shot sailed wide.
In what appeared to be a recurrance of his hamstring injuries, a gutted Farrell was replaced by Jack Emmett four minutes later.
Two more quick bookings followed for the hosts as James Melhado made a late challenge on Berchil four minutes prior to Chris Doyle running away with the ball following his foul on Harrison Hopper.
Longbottom soon saw another strike ushered away before Emmett’s follow-up was blocked by the resiliant home defence.
A trademark John Lufudu run on the brink of half-time resulted in a pinpoint cross to Longbottom but the latter’s header was straight at Isherwood.
Jake Lawlor’s defensive slip-up allowed Daly in for the home side’s second on 51 minutes.
Town weren’t settling for a two-goal win – Melhado headed wide five minutes later before Isong’s header struck the bar.
With a mountain to climb Ridehalgh made a double substitution as new loanee George Goodman and Joao Silva replaced Lucas Odunston and Berchil.
The changes increased the Lions threat and Goodman was lively on his debut but Guiseley didn’t trouble Isherwood.
Brazier dragged a shot wide on 71 minutes before Goodman’s header whistled over with 15 minutes to spare.
Melhado whizzed past a startled Guiseley defence in added time before his cross fizzed narrowly past the post via Goodman’s attempt to steer the ball clear.
Substitute Jay Buchan’s late effort soared over before the Lions fell to a first defeat under Ridehalgh.
The loss leaves the Lions languishing in 17th place in the Pitching In Northern Premier League Premier Division.
Guiseley are next at Prescot Cables on Saturday 25th October in Isuzu FA Trophy action with a 3pm kick-off.
Warrington Town 2-0 Guiseley | Saturday 18th October 2025 | Cantilever Park
Attendance: 727
Team: 1. Joe Cracknell, 2. Lucas Odunston (66′ Goodman), 3. Connor Ferguson, 4. Harrison Hopper (81′ Buchan), 5. Lebrun Mbeka (C), 6. Jake Lawlor, 7. John Lufudu, 8. Will Longbottom, 9. Leo Farrell (35′ Emmett), 10. Jordan Thewlis and 11. Amir Berchil (66′ Silva).
Subs: 12. Jack Emmett, 14. Ollie Brown, 15. Jay Buchan, 16. Joao Silva and 17. George Goodman.
