Despite dropping two points in this largely one sided game the Lions remain in fifth place in the table and still very much in the hunt for a promotion and play-off place. Looking slightly ring rusty after an enforced two week layoff the visitors had the larger share of possession but were unable to find that vital spark of inspiration to deliver an outright victory.
Lacking James Walshaw through suspension, Ryan Toulson due to injury and also missing Danny Ellis, Manager Steve Kittrick was forced into to making several positional changes as Simon Baldry came in at right back, Dave Merris partnered Simon Ainge in the centre of defence and Jake McEneaney filled in at left back. Darren Stamp joined Joe O’Niell up front whilst striker Danny Forrest began the second period of his extended loan from Barrow on the bench.
Despite playing the ball around it was Town who came closest in then early stages as warren Peyton’s wayward pass let in Gary King, fortunately Merris intervened with a well timed tackle.
Stamp was then the unlikely hero as he cleared a shot off the line before Liam Needham brought the ball down and put I a left foot shot across goal that went just the wrong side of the post. And perhaps the omens were pointing to a goalless draw just before the break as Stamp got off a shot amongst a forest of bodies in the six yard box only to see his effort rebound out after hitting the underside of the bar.
Second half efforts from Merris, Rothery, Needham and O’Niell went unrewarded and even though Town managed to roll one on top of the Guiseley crossbar, the score remained deadlocked and the points shared. What the visiting Luton officials will have made of the lions performance ahead of Saturdays Trophy Quarter Final clash is anyone’s guess but in the end that might not be a bad thing.
Team:
- Steve Drench
- Simon Baldry
- Jake McEneaney
- Warren Peyton (Sharry 71)
- Simon Ainge
- Dave Merris
- Joe O’Niell (caution)
- Danny Boshell
- Darryn Stamp (caution)
- Gavin Rothery (Forrest 65)
- Liam Needham
12. Luke Sharry
14. Danny Forrest
15. Joe Spivack
16. Chris Holland
17. James Coates
