Guiseleys first away game of the new campaign saw them lose by the narrowest of margins at a very wet Gateshead International Stadium yesterday evening.
Heed manager Neil Aspin had urged his side to tighten their defence following the opening day defeat at Woking but on this evidence, he still has a lot of work to do as the Guiseley midfield, strengthened by the return of Will Hatfield and Alex Purver, constantly disrupted the home sides flow and despite numerous opportunities the Lions couldn’t find the decisive finish.
Gateshead were first to threaten as Jordan Burrow’s header from a long throw sailed over Jonny Maxted’s bar.
The visitors then thought they had taken the lead when Reece Thompson prodded home Lee Molyneux’s cross but the joy was short-lived as the liner was flagging for an offside.
Jake Lawlor directed his header from a corner straight at James Montgomery and Danny Johnson had Maxted at full stretch to gather his low shot.
Former Lions striker Jordan Preston tried his luck but sent his effort way over the bar before his second attempt was deflected on to the crossbar by Danny Lowe.
Maxted was then smartly off his line as Burrow chased a chance and his long clearance deceived Theodore Vassell which let in Thompson but he snatched at his chance and shot wide.
Purver forced Montgomery into a fine stop before the visitors were undone by a towering header from Heed captain Neill Byrne who had been left unmarked from a corner kick.
Guiseley replied by bringing on strikers Frank Mulhern and Raul Correia to partner Thompson up front but to no avail as despite some intense pressure towards the end they couldn’t find the elusive finish to square matters.
The nearest they came being when the Thomson met Molyneux’s cross at the far post only for his shot to be blocked and go behind.
The lively striker then found himself free 12 yards out at the far post but Montgomery proved his equal once again and the Lions went down to their first defeat of the season and reflect on what might have been.
Team:
1 Maxted
2 Brown
3 Lowe
6 Lawlor
7 Hurst (Mulhern 59)
8 Hatfield
9 Thompson
10 Rooney (McFadzean 80)
11 Molyneux
17 Purver (Correia 72)
20 Williams
Subs:
12 Correia
15 McFadzean
18 Mulhern
23 East
25 Atkinson
