Match Footage
Can be found here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M76p6T_Y630
(thanks to jackk of Telford for the link)
Match Report
With the games coming thick and fast as the business end of the season approaches this clash of fifth versus third was the proverbial six pointer and but lived up to it’s pre-match billing as Telford showed the home side how to take their chances and defend in depth when needed.
The Lions went down to only their third league defeat of the season with a lack of finishing in wasting two golden opportunities to punish their opponents, but also didn’t have the rub of the green when two seemingly blatant penalty claims were dismissed by referee Chris Kavanagh.
Having suffered two consecutive defeats on the bounce home manager Steve Kittrick made three changes bringing in Simon Baldry, Luke Sharry and Danny Forrest into the starting line up whilst Ryan Toulson, Warren Peyton and Gavin Rothery dropped to the bench. Andy Sinton made just one change with Mark Preece returning to the starting eleven.
The visitors were the first to threaten as Andy Proudlock headed straight at Steven Drench whilst Forrest had a shot blocked and Walshaw’s follow up was inches over for the home side. Sharry put a shot over and Andy Brown forced Drench into a smart save before Proudlock went close.
When Aaron McCarey rushed out of his goal only to get tangled up with two of his own defenders, Guiseley should have been in front but Walshaw snatched at his shot with the open goal beckoning and the danger was cleared.
The miss was further compounded when O’Niell was clearly held back by McCarey as the striker challenged for a cross but the home side’s appeals for a penalty were given short shrift.
Strike partner Joe O’Niell showed good close control before firing inches over but the visitors punished the home side just before the break as Brown fired home during a goalmouth scramble following a Telford corner.
O’Niell got clear of his marker down the channel and fired across McCarey only to see his shot go beyond the upright.
The visitors all but put the game to bed as Proudlock’s shot brought a good save from Drench only for Rodgers to pounce on the loose ball and fire home. Drench then did well to tip over Brown’s header before the same player’s shot hit the foot of the post.
The introduction of striker Darryn Stamp had an immediate impact as first he headed straight at McCarey and then saw his shot charged down before Baldry put a header wide .Adams wrapped the game up with a crisp shot into the bottom corner.
February’s Blue Square Manager of the Month was obviously pleased with his team’s performance “We expected a tough battle but we took the game to Guiseley and got the rewards”
Att: 567
Referee: Chris Kavanagh
Star man: Carl Rodgers (AFC Telford)
Entertainment value: ****
Guiseley: Drench, Baldry, Merris, Boshell, Ellis, Ainge, Forrest, Sharry (Stamp 88), O’Niell, Walshaw, Needham (Peyton 18)
Unused subs: Toulson, Rothery, Coates
AFC Telford United: McCarey, Salmon, Newton, Rodgers, Preece 77, Killock, Mills (Gwynne 83), Trainer, Proudlock (Meechan 85), Brown 45 (Pitt 90+3), Adams 90
Unused subs: Bailey, Platt
