Ivor Timmis reports from the second John Bridson Memorial Match held at Nethermoor on Sunday.
The Guiseley AFC Whites and Guiseley AFC Yellows took the field to the tune of a John Bridson favourite, the Z cars theme.
The match began at a leisurely pace before slowing down rapidly. Both teams passed the ball around nicely and it wasn’t long before the Whites took the lead.
A hesitant Luke Haigh was outpaced by Loki Ray who finished confidently as Steven Drench came out of his area.
The Yellows came straight back and a James Walshaw shot was kicked off the line by Robby Waite before Jamie Wardman picked out Walshaw who then found Mark Lewis with a cross into the six yard box. Mark is lethal at anything up to four yards and forced the ball home.
Confidence boosted, Mark now hit two passes with the outside of his boot down the left wing. Pure showboating. Neither pass reached its intended recipient.
There was a nicely conceived father and son one two by Edward and Colin Robertson, though the execution didn’t match the conception as Colin shinned the return pass into touch.
Walshaw went on a mazy run through countless defenders and hit the post. The rebound was tucked home but ruled out for offside by referee Joe Priestley. Wally was beginning to simmer.
Oli Johnson demonstrated that even the greatest make mistakes by lofting a shot onto the railway line.
A fine passing move down the left flank culminated in a Simon Bullock cross being headed in by Wally at the far post looking suspiciously offside. Yellows managers Rob Brown, Wayne Priestley and Mark Law were in the linesman Dylan Broadhead’s ear immediately, but to no avail.
The Whites fought back and Andy Holdsworth fizzed a shot goalwards which Drench did well to parry wide.
The Yellows made a bright start to the second half with Danny and Louie Boshell combining well.
There was the rare sight of a Walshaw tackle in his own half and two great efforts by Rory Hallinan which were well saved.
Gavin Rothery came on with some trademark footwork.
Walshaw took a theatrical dive which was even more theatrically waved away by referee Joe Priestley.
The Whites equalised when a well struck shot by Callum Scott was deflected in by his team-mate and captain, Lebrun Mbeka, leaving Jamie Sykes wrong footed in goal. Lebrun celebrated as only he can and he was soon back in action, having a goal disallowed and planting one chance on to the bowling green.
Mbeka also made a goal for Oliver Birkenshaw with an unselfish pass.
Referee Priestley, assisted by Derrick Stephens, then awarded a penalty to the yellows for a non-foul outside the box. Managers Brown, Priestley & Law brought on penalty specialist, Arthur Lewis, who left the keeper rooted to the spot with a calm left foot finished.
Luke Haigh had a chance to win it for the yellows but failed to land his shot in the same postcode.
David and Adam Bridson – introduced by Whites Managers Pete Gable and Rob Murphy-Fell entered the fray prompting referee Priestley to blow for full time shortly after.
There was a penalty shootout which nobody understood though it allowed Adam to score at the second attempt with a fine left foot shot into the corner. And so to the awards. Matthew Halloran won Moment of the Match for an incisive pass.
Mystifyingly, Colin Robertson won the Booths Player of the Match. He is the third best player in his own family. What next, the FIFA peace prize?
It was an event which showed the community spirit of the club at its best and, as such, the perfect way to remember John Bridson.
Guiseley AFC Whites 3-3 Guiseley AFC Yellows (Yellows win 3-1 on penalties) | Sunday 3rd May 2026 | Nethermoor
Attendance: 186
Teams:
Guiseley Whites: 1. Harry Garman, 2. Rylan Windle, 3. Colin Robertson, 4. Edward Robertson, 5. Lebrun Mbeka (C), 7. Oli Johnson, 8. Ian Richards, 9. Andy Holdsworth, 10. Heather Fisher, 11. Jade Foster, 12. Loki Ray, 14. Stewart Pinder, 15. John Waite, 16. Robby Waite, 17. Callum Scott, 18. Matthew Halloran, 19. Tyler Coates, 20. Matt Birkenshaw, 21. Adam Bridson and 22. Oliver Birkenshaw.
Guiseley Yellows: 1. Steven Drench, 2. Mark Lewis, 3. Simon Bullock, 4. Rory Hallinan, 5. Nicole Malpus, 6. Freja Evans, 7. Eliza Marjoram, 8. Danny Boshell, 9. Louie Boshell, 10. James Walshaw, 11. Jamie Sykes, 12. Rob Woolhouse, 14. Gary Naylor, 15. Jamie Wardman, 16. Isla Lewis, 17. Tom Harban, 18. Luke Haigh, 19. Tyler Shaw, 20. Josh Wilkinson, 21. David Bridson and 22. Arthur Lewis.
