Guiseley secured three crucial points in the north east, keeping their promotion push firmly on track. The Lions now require just six points from six games to guarantee a place in the playoffs, leaving manager Mark Bower confident about the run-in, writes Colin Robertson.
“We just need to keep going now and not worry about anyone else,” the Lions boss beamed after the match.
“We’re picking up points and our tally so far is really good. Hopefully we secure those playoff positions sooner rather than later. It will mean that we can make decisions to ensure that we’re going into the playoffs in the best possible shape.”
The game began energetically, with Guiseley threatening early. In the ninth minute, Lewis Whitham weaved past a couple of defenders and unleashed a shot that ricocheted off the inside of the post. Lebrun Mbeka was quick to follow up and found the back of the net, but the goal was disallowed for offside.
In the 16th minute, Jack Emmett delivered a sublime through ball to Whitham, who found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper. He slipped past the keeper but was denied when his follow up shot was blocked on the line and then cleared away by the Hebburn defence.
The pressure continued two minutes later when John Lufudu drilled a low cross across the six-yard box. Unfortunately Mbeka couldn’t connect, and the ball went out for a goal kick.
The breakthrough came in the 20th minute when Emmett played another incisive pass to Lufudu. Bursting clear of the defence, Lufudu smashed the ball past the Hebburn keeper to give Guiseley the lead.
Whitham continued to trouble the Hebburn back line, picking up the ball on the edge of the area and beating his marker before firing a strong left-footed shot. Goalkeeper Daniel Cameron produced a fine save, diving to his left to parry the ball behind for a corner.
Lufudu was pivotal again in the 38th minute, reaching the byline and pulling the ball back across the box. However, the Hebburn defence managed to clear it before Mbeka could capitalise.
The home side had their first significant opportunity in the 39th minute when Amar Purewal lined up a shot from the edge of the area. Jameel Ible came to the rescue with a brilliant block, deflecting the ball over the bar for a corner with a lunging tackle.
The frantic tempo of the first half slowed somewhat in the second as Hebburn enjoyed more possession. The Lions, however, remained resolute defensively and looked dangerous on the counter attack.
In the 58th minute, Prince Ekpolo won the ball in midfield and fed Mbeka, who in turn threaded it through to Lufudu in a dangerous position. Unfortunately, Lufudu’s chipped effort sailed just over the crossbar.
Ten minutes later, Ollie Brown made a determined run down the right flank and delivered a pinpoint cross to Lufudu, whose close-range effort went just over.
Late substitute Will Longbottom almost made an immediate impact with a precise corner that found Mbeka in the box. However, the makeshift forward’s header was too close to Cameron to trouble the keeper.
With 12 minutes remaining, Hebburn’s Olly Martin created a rare moment of danger for the home side, producing a fierce cross-shot from the right flank. Joe Cracknell reacted superbly, making a brilliant save to preserve Guiseley’s lead.
As the match entered its fiery and ill-tempered final stages, the Lions held firm to secure a fourth consecutive clean sheet and an invaluable victory that edges Guiseley closer to securing their first play off berth for ten years.
Hebburn Town 0-1 Guiseley AFC | Saturday 22nd March 2025 | Nethermoor Park
Attendance: 523
Team: 1. Joe Cracknell, 2. Ollie Brown, 3. Liam Ridehalgh, 4. Jameel Ible (C), 5. Lebrun Mbeka, 6. Jake Lawlor, 7. Prince Ekpolo, 8. Adriano Moke, 9. John Lufudu (81′ Johnson), 10. Jack Emmett (74′ Spencer) and 11. Lewis Whitham (69′ Longbottom).
Subs: 13. Danny King (GK), 14. Jamie Spencer, 15. Sam Bentley, 16. Will Longbottom and 17. Gabriel Johnson.
