Guiseley Academy moved up to second place in the National League Under-19 Alliance with a 4-0 win at AFC Fylde on Wednesday, writes Rachel O’Connor.
On the same day league leaders Farsley Celtic lost 1-0 at South Shields allowing Guiseley to close the gap on their neighbours to three points with two games in hand.
After defeating Farsley 4-2 a week previously the Young Lions again netted four goals when they visited Mill Farm to take on Fylde.
An even first-half saw the Young Lions hold on to a 1-0 lead which came courtesy of a 10th minute goal from striker George Sebine, his sixth goal of the season.
A change of formation for the second-half saw Guiseley look more dangerous. The pressure saw Fylde net a 55th minute own goal which gave Guiseley a 2-0 lead and allowed the side to settle down.
Defenders have proved a big source of goals for Guiseley this season and this game was to be no different with centre-back Lewin Storton netting a brace in the 60th and 74th minutes to seal Guiseley’s eighth league win in 12 games.
Storton’s brace made it 15 goals in all from defenders this season, a great contribtion to the side’s overall performance.
Academy Head Coach Dave Currie was pleased with this win which took his side to within three points of Farsley. He Said:”That was a good win for us, especially with Farsley and Blyth Spartans both losing. It keeps pressure on the teams around us and keeps our momentum going.”
Currie welcomed midfielder Oliwier Grzelak back to the Academy squad for his first appearance of the season. He is able to add strength and experience to the midfield and he replaced Joe Taylor for the second-half.
Team: Callum Bradbury; Kyle Burrows, Lewin Storton, Freddie Westfall, K’Marni Miller; Joe Taylor, Sam Walters, Dennelle Godfrey, Jack Mason; Danyaal Khan, George Sebine. Subs: Marley Spence (for Godfrey 70), Oliwier Grzelak (for Taylor 45), Oli Storr (unused as unwell).
Guiseley are on a run of nine games unbeaten since the end of October – eight in the league and one in the League Academy Cup.
The Young Lions have lost just two league games so far, 3-1 at league leaders Farsley and 1-0 at York City.
They are enjoying another excellent season in the top level of Academy football with their only other defeat coming in the FA Youth Cup, 2-0 at Chester-le-Street back on 1st November.
This ended a run of four wins in the FA Youth Cup – 2-1 home to Hartlepool, 7-0 v Gainsborough, 10-0 at Tadcaster Albion and 4-0 at Worsborough.
The leading scorers in the Academy are: Jack Mason 13, Danyaal Khan 12, Kyle Burrows 6, George Sebine 6, K’Marni Miller 5, Oli Storr 4, Lewin Storton 4.
Guiseley visit York City in the National League U-19 Academy Cup at the York City training ground on 21st February.
