The Lions followed up Tuesday’s away win at Ilkeston with a hard-fought and thoroughly merited one nil win at the windswept Vestacare Stadium, writes Ivor Timmis.

There were two changes to the line-up at Ilkeston with Jordan Thewlis and Jack Emmett replacing Amir Berchil and Jay Rollins who had both sustained injuries. There was a place on the bench for new loan signing Noah Wadsworth and also a return for Will Longbottom.

The Lions began on the front foot with Thewlis and Kallan Murphy running hard to collect balls in the channels and pressure the Avro defence.

As was the case at Alfreton, frequent fouls disrupted Guiseley’s build-up play. Together with the gusty wind, this made fluent play difficult, but the Lions were very much on the front foot for the first 20 minutes or so without creating clear openings.

The Ro were very neat in possession with David Fitzpatrick prominent in playing out from the back and, as Ian Richards informed me afterwards, when the hosts switched their midfield set up, they really grew into the game.

The most dangerous moment for the Lions was when a cross from Chiekh Thiam took a wicked deflection forcing Jack Hall into an acrobatic save.

A break by Cam Wilson was stopped when he was unceremoniously dumped to the ground by Jack Morrow who went into the book.

On 40 minutes, Wilson was forced to leave the field with a shoulder injury and had to go to the local infirmary to have it checked out. He was replaced By Jack Tinker with Ollie Brown moving forward into midfield. Half time arrived with the score 0-0, probably a fair reflection of play.

The second half began with the Ro, now playing against the wind, briefly on top.

Murphy received a yellow after a byline tussle with Thiam.

About 20 minutes in a low cross from the left was completely missed by Lebrun Mbeka leaving Harry Salt with space and time to strike a good low shot which Hall did well to tip on to the post and away to safety.

There was a period when the Lions frequently lost possession with overhit through balls though they then began to assert control.

Jack Emmett cleverly dribbled into the area before eventually pushing the ball too far before Thewlis fired over from a narrow angle.

Thewlis was then played through 1 v 1 by Jack Emmett but Vilar Robinson saved well.

Thewlis, however, was not to be denied. Murphy flicked a header on and Thiam, who had been excellent to that point, missed his clearance leaving Thewlis through on goal. His initial effort was well blocked by Robinson, but he thrashed home the rebound from close range.

Emmett left the field to be replaced by Frankie Sinfield while there was a welcome return to action for Will Longbottom replacing Thewlis.

With Avro a goal down at home, an onslaught on the Lions’ goal might have been expected, but it did not materialise.

The Lions remained in control and saw out the game comfortably.

The Lions’ commitment to the cause was personified by Murphy careering into the perimeter fencing after a strong challenge.

It was a performance of immense resolve in difficult conditions and with enough quality to secure three points against an Avro side who are flying high and who are rarely beaten at home.

Avro 0-1 Guiseley | Saturday 10th October 2026 | Vestacare Stadium

Attendance: 348

Team: 1. Jack Hall, 2. Lucas Odunston, 3. Ollie Brown, 4. Harrison Hopper, 5. Elliot Owen, 6. Lebrun Mbeka, 7. Jack Emmett (78′ Sinfield), 8. Charlie Staniland, 9. Kallan Murphy, 10. Cam Wilson (38′ Tinker) and 11. Jordan Thewlis (84′ Longbottom).

Subs: 12. Paul Iggulden, 14. Jack Tinker, 15. Noah Wadsworth, 16. Frankie Sinfield and 17. Will Longbottom.