Gritty Guiseley Dig In To Defeat League Leaders

Goals from manager Danny Ellis and Jake Cassidy ensured that the Lions got their reward for a gritty performance as they racked up their second win in four days as they beat FC United of Manchester 2-1 at Nethermoor this evening writes John Clements.

Coming into the game the visitors sat top of the pile but were made to look distinctly ordinary in the first half by a Guiseley side who chased and harried at every opportunity, so much so that Kyle Trenerry had hardly anything to do in what proved to be a scrappy first half.

The Lions had got off to a flying start and were awarded a free kick twenty yards out early on but Callum Chippendale couldn’t keep his shot down on his home debut and the ball sailed over the bar.

In a game where defences ruled the roost for a good portion of the first half it was an opportunist strike from Ellis that broke the deadlock on twenty-five minutes after Nicky Walker had whipped in a delicious free kick that was blocked, hit the post and then fell to the Guiseley manager who smashed the ball home at the far post.

Having already conceded from a free kick visiting keeper Wyll Stanway was alert to the next one which he punched away and then made an instictive reaction save to prevent a certain goal from a Lions corner as he diverted the ball over the bar.

The game was then halted by the referee just before the break amid reports of an alleged racial comment being made from the section where the FCUM fans were gathered at the Railway End. After the officials had spoken with the police the game eventually resumed with four minutes being added and without any further incident.

After a relatively quiet start to the second half United went close as a Finlay Armstrong’s cross was met by the head of Regan Linney but his effort crashed against the crossbar and then Callum Gribbin saw his chipped effort come back off the bar as the Lions lived dangerously.

But the signs were there and eventually United’s efforts were rewarded when a slick move ended with Joseph Rodwell-Grant one-on-one with Trenerry, and the substitute made no mistake to level the scores on 67 minutes.

This after the home fans and players were adamant that the play should have been brought back for a vicious lunge at Callum Chippendale in the build up to the goal.

But having been pegged back the Lions went on the offensive and six minutes later the United defence were dozing as Guiseley took a quick free kick for Ross Daly to cross into the box where Jake Cassidy was on hand to fire to restore the Lions lead.

A flurry of substitutions saw the Lions pack their midfield in order to preserve their advantage as the clock ticked down which eventually paid dividends as they ran out 2-1 winners.

Guiseley 2-1 FC United of Manchester | Tuesday 19th October 2022 | Nethermoor Park

Attendance: 1022

Team:1. Kyle Trenerry, 2. Kwame Boateng, 3. Jameel Ible, 4. Ross Daly, 5. Danny Ellis, 6. Lebrun Mbeka, 7. Mohammad Qasim (76′ Dean), 8. Callum Chippendale (89 Haw), 9. Jake Cassidy (C), 10. Joe Ackroyd (93′ Wood) and 11. Nicky Walker.

Subs: 12. Adam Haw, 14. Donald Chimalilo, 15. Luke Dean, 16. Charlie Wood and 17. Ethen Vaughan.

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