Guiseley reacted to Saturday’s disappointment in the best possible manner with a 2-0 win on the road at Whitby Town’s Turnbull Ground, writes Adam Bridson.
After a quiet first half with chances few and far between Aaron Martin pounced to strike twice in six second half minutes to wrap up the first win of the season for Ian Richards’ side.
Whitby were boosted after starting the season with three points in a 2-1 away win at Leek and it told in the early stages with Stan Hewitt found unmarked at the back post but thankfully the full back could only shoot straight at Jack Hall.
Adam Lund’s trademark long throws caused the home backline all kinds of problems with two chances in three minutes, the first went to Martin who headed over before Lebrun Mbeka saw his initial header blocked and the rebound was shot into the gardens behind the goal.
With 18 minutes on the clock the Lions stepped up their pressure and forced Jack Norton into his first save of the night when Amir Berchil found Martin at the back post but he couldn’t find a way past the home stopper who reacted well to tip the ball wide.
Joey Phuthi, who was an attacking threat for the hosts, worked his way up the pitch from right back to cut in and shoot goalwards but his effort took a hefty deflection to result in an easy gather for Hall.
From this Hall rolled the ball out to Charlie Staniland, deep in his own half, the midfielder played a one-two with Lucas Odunston to then feed Jay Rollins into a crossing position but Martin shot over from a tight angle.
Berchil forced Norton into a save from his cross and just before the half-time the winger was fouled out wide on the left. Cam Wilson stepped up top take the free kick but the Whitby stopper did well to catch the ball and clear his lines.
The Lions came out with new energy in the second half and had an opening just three minutes in when Rollins’ shot was deflected into the path of Norton.
Martin thought it was going to be one of those nights 49 minutes in, the striker rounded the keeper but could only find the side netting from a narrowing angle.
The striker got his first Guiseley goal in over six years when he powered home Wilson’s perfect cross to break the deadlock 52 minutes into the contest.
Six minutes later he had his second when Berchil crossed for the number nine but his initial header was blocked resulting in an easy tap in with Norton grounded.
Whitby looked to halve the deficit on the hour mark when Sam Kay’s shot looked to be heading into the top corner from 25 yards out, Hall had to watch the shot cannon off the bar and away.
Kay had another opening three minutes later when he got in down the left hand side only to shoot over from a tight angle with just Hall to beat.
With 74 minutes on the clock the Lions were looking to extend their lead and nearly did so through substitute Jordan Thewlis’ threaded pass to Wilson but the home defence reacted well to clear.
Wilson then found Elliot Owen in the box three minutes later but the defender couldn’t keep his header down.
With four minutes left Martin thought he had grabbed his hat trick finishing off Staniland’s cross but the assistant referee ruled the goal out for offside.
The Lions will look to make it two wins from two on the road on Saturday with a trip to Workington’s Derwent Park.
Whitby Town 0-2 Guiseley | Tuesday 11th August 2026 | Nethermoor
Attendance: 667
Team: 1. Jack Hall, 2. Lucas Odunston, 3. Jack Tinker, 4. Adam Lund, 5. Elliot Owen, 6. Lebrun Mbeka (C), 7. Jay Rollins (65′ Hopper), 8. Charlie Staniland, 9. Aaron Martin, 10. Cam Wilson (78′ White) and 11. Amir Berchil (65′ Thewlis).
Subs: 12. Paul Iggulden, 14. Kyle White, 15. Harrison Hopper, 17. Jordan Thewlis and 18. Derren Boyle.
