Guiseley Academy extended their unbeaten run in the National League U-19 Alliance North to four games thus moving into fourth place in the table, writes Rachel O’Connor.
Their latest win over visitors AFC Fylde, by a 3-2 margin, sees them slot in behind leaders Gateshead on 41 points from 18 games, second-placed Chester with 31 from 14 and third-placed FC Halifax Town with 31 from 16. Guiseley have 30 points from their 16 games.
This run of form has seen a 4-2 win over Halifax, a 4-3 win over York City, a 1-1 draw at Hartlepool and a 3-2 win over Fylde in an end-to-end game at Nethermoor.
Some impressive play has also seen them win their way to the Wharfedale FA’s open age Challenge Cup final.
They have defeated three men’s teams to reach the final seeing off the challenge of Horsforth St Margaret’s 4-2 in the semi-final.
The game against Fylde was again a close one, Guiseley having won 2-1 in the away game. Guiseley looked to draw first blood but had an effort pushed away by the ‘keeper.
Zac Rushworth then made a good run before crossing the ball across the face of the goal. It hit the far post and Emre Can was in the right place at the right time to open the scoring in the seventh minute.
Goalkeeper Spencer Booth made a good block to keep Fylde out and the visitors wasted a free-kick by blasting it high and wide.
Fylde levelled when a Guiseley defender headed away at a corner only for a Fylde player to pick up and score.
Some poor defensive play then allowed Fylde to take a 2-1 lead, the Fylde No 9 being allowed time to control the ball before firing home in the bottom corner.
Lucas Alexander made a good run but to no avail before Wil Temple was injured in a tackle but carried on.
A powerful shot from left-back Robbie Murray hit the bar and bounced down but Rushworth could not put it away.
There was good inter-play between Rushworth and Derren Boyle and a good effort from Temple whilst Fylde almost got the ball in at Booth’s right hand post but the ‘keeper got down well to keep it out.
Just before the break Murray was up in attack again and put the ball across the face of the goal but there were no takers.
Fylde took a 2-1 lead into the second-half but Guiseley were soon on the attack. Good play by Dan Fotherby gained a corner before Emre Can bagged his second goal to level in the 48th minute.
A corner by Can was taken off Rushworth’s feet as Guiseley pressed for a winner but Fylde were not done. The game was becoming a little fiesty and Booth deflected a goalbound shot away.
Derren Boyle fired a shot straight at the ‘keeper when he was in the clear.
On 65 minutes Dan Brookes replaced Temple who was struggling a little after another tough tackle.
Alexander went close with a free-kick which the ‘keeper managed to push away at the foot of the post.
Brookes had a header which the ‘keeper handled easily while at the other end Booth made a great save.
Guiseley though grabbed the points with a great strike by Rushworth on 76 minutes.
Rushworth then set up Can but he put his effort over after Fylde had hit the bar.
Murray was replaced by Will Buttle on 78 minutes before another Rushworth effort was stopped by the ‘keeper.
Can was subbed in the 89th minute by Mo Mouemi.
Guiseley: Spencer Booth; Lucas Alexander, Lawrence Ford, Ronny Skelton, Robbie Murray (Will Buttle 78); Emre Can (Mo Mouemi 89), Ibrahim Origbaajo, Dan Fotherby, Wil Temple (Dan Brookes 65); Zac Rushworth, Derren Boyle.
