Four bookings and two sendings off for the visitors tells you all you need to know about this game as the hosts extended their unbeaten run to fourteen league games. Strong attacking saw Guiseley gaining the upper hand after just ten minutes when Ryan Toulson won a tussle in midfield and played the ball into Joe O’Niell who struck a sweet drive into the corner from 18 yards.
James Walshaw had two efforts blocked and then following a foul on Warren Peyton exchanged words with Callum Warburton who promptly pushed him over and was dismissed for his troubles. Liam Needham hit a sizzler just over and Walshaw was denied by Jan Budzt before the break.
The Lions doubled their lead straight after the break as Walshaw went up with Budzt for Warren Peyton’s free kick which evaded both of them and flew into the net. Budzt 40 yard dash after referee James Hermuzi and subsequent comments earned him a deserved yellow.
Peyton was unlucky not to grab a second when his piledriver rebound off the foot of the post and then all hell broke loose on 70 minutes as Dave Merris and Glen Rule tussled for the ball at a throw in. As other players went to separate them Rule threw himself on the ground and after things had calmed down, Lions sub Darryn Stamp, who had been stood 15 yards away from the affray, was given a red card by Mr Hermuzi.
Not to be outdone, Stalybridge’s Lee Elam walked off without even waiting for his second caution shortly after. O’Niell then set up Liam Needham for the third before Connor Jennings score a consolation for the visitors with virtually the last kick of the game.
Entertainment value: ****
Star man: Ryan Toulson (Guiseley)
Guiseley: Drench, Toulson, Merris, Peyton, Ellis, Ainge, James (Rothery 67), Boshell (Sharry 79) O’Niell, Walshaw (Stamp 65) , Needham. Unused subs: Fitzgerald, Scarsella.
Stalybridge Celtic: Budtz, Rule, McWilliams, White, Platt, Rea, Warburton, Wilkinson, Marsh (Hobson 85), Ellams (Ellam 38) Kaye (Jennings 42) Unused subs: Law, Bembo-Leta
H/T 1-0
Scorers: Guiseley – O’Niell 10, Peyton 46 Needham 86
Att: 518
Referee: James Hermuzi
