The Lions had an August Bank Holiday Monday to remember running out 4-0 winners at Emley in a one-sided contest, writes Adam Bridson.
Ian Richards’ side bounced back impressively from a defeat to Lancaster City last time out to simply blow away their hosts on a sunny but windy afternoon at the Fantastic Media Welfare Ground.
It was the third time the Lions had scored four goals during Richard’s tenure and first on the road in a league fixture since a 4-1 victory in January 2025 at Worksop Town.
Guiseley, playing in their yellow and black away kit, got off to a fast start when just six minutes in Kyle White tricked his way into the box but he couldn’t find the final pass with the Pewits having enough men back to clear the danger.
Three minutes later and it was so close to being 1-0 to the visitors, Jordan Thewlis did well to pick out Cam Wilson who was crowded out on the edge of the box but managed to find Charlie Staniland in space. The central midfielder thought he had scored but Charlie Barks was alert to clear the ball off of the line.
Amir Berchil, up against his former side for the first time, did well to find Thewlis in space at the back post with 15 minutes on the clock but the forward couldn’t keep his volley down.
Thewlis did get his goal 20 minutes in when White’s corner was flicked into the top corner by the experienced attacker. Ben Bottomley did get a hand to the header but couldn’t keep it out.
Five minutes later and the lead was doubled. Berchil was fouled out on the right hand side of the pitch, White stepped up to take the free kick. His set piece deceived the Emley defence and took a touch from Barks on its way over the line.
There was time in the first half for Thewlis and Berchil to go close before Lebrun Mbeka appeared to pick up an injury and had to be replaced at the break.
Paul Iggulden was introduced in his place for the second half which nearly got off to the perfect start.
Another White free kick caused panic in the Emley box, Elliot Owen’s shot was well saved by Bottomley’s leg and the rebound was curled over by Wilson who had to shoot high to get the ball through a packed area.
The impressive Wilson made no mistake 12 minutes into the second half though, he got the ball in the centre of the pitch 25 yards out from goal and picked his spot and sublimely curled the ball home.
Hall was called into action a minute later when former Lion Gabriel Johnson was bearing down on goal but the stopper saved the low shot with his leg. It was the first time the keeper had been called into action.
Adam Lund’s long throws were travelling even further with the strong wind behind them, he found Thewlis at the back post but the number seven could only shoot over from a very tight angle.
The strength of the breeze was highlighted even more in the 66th minute when Hall’s goal kick bounced just wide of Bottomley’s net and out of the ground into the gardens behind.
The relentless Lions kept pushing for more and Staniland was denied by another goal line clearance with 20 minutes left. He had beaten Bottomley with his low shot but Hayden Lindley recovered to boot clear.
This saw Harrison Hopper introduced from the bench and the midfielder only had to wait two minutes before getting on the scoresheet for the first time in his Guiseley career. There was a mixup at the back for Emley and the midfielder pounced on a loose ball to stab into the net from close range with Bottomley stranded.
Eight minutes later and the visitors were pushing for a fifth but Bottomley did well to stop and keep hold of Ollie Brown’s cross at his near post.
Richards turned to his bench to introduce academy midfielder Derren Boyle for his third appearance of the campaign so far.
Kallan Murphy should have capped off a stellar afternoon for his side when Staniland’s cross was parried into his path by Bottomley but somehow the forward shot wide with the goal gaping in front of him.
Murphy had another chance with 60 seconds left on the clock when one-on-one with Bottomley but the goalkeeper did well to save the powerful strike with his boot.
That was the last chance on a day that saw the first clash between the two sides in 7,877 days – that afternoon at Nethermoor on 5th February 2005 Sam Denton struck the only goal in 1-0 victory for the Lions.
Richards’ side now have four full days to prepare for the trip to Stockton Town in the Emirates FA Cup first round qualifying on Saturday.
Emley 0-4 Guiseley | Monday 31st August 2026 | Fantastic Media Welfare Ground
Attendance: 643
Team: 1. Jack Hall, 2. Ollie Brown, 3. Kyle White, 4. Adam Lund, 5. Elliot Owen, 6. Lebrun Mbeka (C) (46′ Iggulden), 7. Jordan Thewlis (70′ Hopper), 8. Charlie Staniland, 9. Kallan Murphy, 10. Cam Wilson and 11. Amir Berchil (80′ Boyle).
Subs: 12. Paul Iggulden, 13. Michael Roxburgh (GK), 14. Harrison Hopper, 15. Derren Boyle and 16. Jack Emmett.
