The Lions took all three points from a hard-fought counter with high flying Cleethorpes, writes Ivor Timmis.

The Lions were unchanged from the victory at Leisten apart from the return of Cam Wilson to the bench. Cleethorpes fielded the following ex-Lions from the start: Ollie Battersby; Nathan Newall; Lewis Hey and Joe Ackroyd. And on the bench were Bailey Conway and Liam Hughes.

The first chance of an even opening fell to the Clee when Marley Wilson, after a neat exchange of passes down the right cut inside and fired a left foot shot over the bar from the edge of the box.

It was the Lions, however, who drew first blood. Amer Berchil simply breezed past his marker to the byline and cut back a dangerous low cross which the unfortunate Ben Gallimore side footed emphatically into his own goal.

Jack Emmett and Jordan Thewlis soon combined to send Ollie Brown surging into the box, but his low cross was cleared.

Soon after, Charlie Staniland’s clever lob was tipped away by Battersby.

As is so often the case, the Lions midfield and forwards harried the Owls defence allowing them no time on the ball.

Around the 20-minute mark, the Clee started to exert sustained pressure, with two crosses by Nathan Newall forcing hurried clearances.

A further cross by Newall induced two air shots in the Guiseley defence but the danger was eventually averted.

At the other end, Lucas Odunston put Emmett through with a well weighted pass, but Jack shot straight at Battersby.

Eliot Owen showed some neat skill after a corner, dribbling the ball to the byline and cutting an inviting cross into the box where there were, unfortunately, no takers. It was easy to see why Cleethorpes have started the season so well as they pushed the Lions back for periods, though without creating clear chances.

On the stroke of half time, Thewlis put Kallan Murphy through on goal – his low left foot shot was on target and needed a fine save from Battersby to keep it at 1-0.

There was a moment of real controversy early in the second half when Newall barged Berchil into the perimeter fencing. It sparked a minor fracas and the debate was whether Newall would receive a yellow or a red. To the dismay of many, he received neither and the referee didn’t even award a free kick.

There followed another period of Cleethorpes’ pressure with the Lions again standing firm.

A diving header by Owen from a Harrison Hopper cross was the nearest the Lions came to extending their lead.

The Lions were struggling to get Murphy and Thewlis into the game as they were penned back.

Thewlis was replaced by Wilson after 66 minutes.

The second controversy arrived in the 68th minute. Lebrun Mbeka was shepherding Hughes, who had his back to goal at the side of the penalty area, away from goal when the big striker went to ground under what seemed an innocuous challenge. The referee incurred the wrath of the home crowd by pointing to the spot. Josh Walker despatched the penalty emphatically.

It seemed the momentum was now with the visitors, but the Lions dug in and still carried a threat on the break.

Then arrived the game’s decisive moment in the 72nd minute. Wilson picked up a half-cleared corner on the edge of the Owls’ box. There seemed to be no danger as he had a defender right in his face and several others in close attendance. However, he maneuvered the ball to his right and rolled an exquisite finish into the right-hand corner. It was a stunning piece of skill.

The goal wasn’t Wilson’s only valuable contribution. For the rest of the match, he consistently gave the team ‘an out ball’ to relieve the pressure.

Jack Tinker replaced Berchil after 75 minutes, with Jack dropping into left back and Brown moving forward into midfield.

There was a comedy moment to relieve the tension when Jamie Branwell took a throw-in which slipped out of his hands and dropped at his own feet, thus conceding a free kick and allowing the Lions some respite.

Cleethorpes were forced into playing long balls towards Wilson and Hughes.

The Lions needed to remain alert but saw the game out in reasonable comfort.

Our former players in the Owls’ lineup went home empty-handed, but I am sure everyone is pleased to see them playing well for a good club.

It was a truly spirited performance from the Lions and sent everyone home in good heart.

Guiseley 2-1 Cleethorpes Town | Tuesday 20th October 2026 | Nethermoor

Attendance: 545

Team: 1. Jack Hall, 2. Lucas Odunston, 3. Ollie Brown , 4. Harrison Hopper (90′ Iggulden), 5. Elliot Owen, 6. Lebrun Mbeka (C), 7. Jack Emmett (89′ Sinfield), 8. Charlie Staniland, 9. Kallan Murphy, 10. Amir Berchil (75′ Tinker) and 11. Jordan Thewlis (66′ Wilson).

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