Guiseley needed a penalty shoot-out to see off a spirited display from NPL East side Ossett United at Nethermoor to advance to the semi finals of the West Riding County Cup, writes Scott Kelly.
The game finished 1-1 after 90 minutes. Leigh Whelan was sent off for two bookings with 20 minutes remaining. A late Ossett equaliser paved the way for the penalty shootout, which the Lions won 7-6.
The opening stages consisted of the hosts peppering the Ossett goal. Tom Denton had a sixth minute goal chalked off for a handball in the build-up, this came after Liam Tongue had tested the Ossett goal with a rasping effort which was well wide of Callum Hiddleston’s crossbar. Michael Afuye was next to test Hiddleston but he was denied, with his powerful effort fired straight down the goalkeeper’s midriff.
Like Afuye, Kofi Moore was also looking a tricky customer and his low cross reached Rochdale loanee Afuye but he fired just wide.
You sensed a goal was on the way and just after the half hour mark it arrived. Afuye was the man to get it. He raced into the penalty area on the right-hand side, jinking past a defender before firing past the hapless Hiddleston. It was the visitors with their first meaningful opportunity shortly after, as lively forward Kelan Swales caught Ollie Battersby off his line and tried to lob the keeper about 40 yards from goal, but his lob blew wide thankfully for the hosts.
After silly bookings picked up by Ollie Brown and Leigh Whelan, the visitors had another threatening opportunity with Swales again involved. His low, rasping cross caused havoc but thankfully Josh Ashman was able to end any danger by clearing for a corner. Ossett’s Tom Claisse was later caught in possession and Tongue raced into the penalty area, and his low effort was saved by Hiddleston.
Much of the second half was very low on quality, with both sides struggling to get to grips with the game. Guiseley would have fought hard to beat high flying Radcliffe on Saturday and the players were looking leggy.
Six minutes into the second half, the Lions should have had a second. A corner from the right was placed perfectly onto the head of Jameel Ible, but his point blank header was somehow kept out by the effervescent Hiddleston.
A glorious chance fell to the visitors just before the 70th minute. Swales ran through on goal, beating the offside trap but somehow managed to fire over Battersby’s crossbar, when it seemed easier to at least hit the target.
Then the game suddenly swung as Leigh Whelan received his marching orders for a trip on Ossett sub and Lions academy graduate Rafa Ferreira.
Following several substitutions for both sides, Ossett seized their opportunity with just a minute remaining, with the ever-dangerous Swales crossing low for Ferreira to strike from just a yard out.
The game seemed destined for penalties, but the Lions were to have the last chances in stoppage time, with Kallan Murphy squaring for Callum Chippendale who had his chance superbly cleared off the line. There was still time for a corner for the Lions, with Reece Kendall again hitting the head of Ible, but his looping header came back off the Ossett post.
The Ossett goal led a charmed life for much of the game but they held on for penalties, with the Lions coming out on top in sudden death after missed penalties from Ossett duo Ferreira and Edney Castro.
Concentration returns to the league now for the Lions as they head to Ashton United this Saturday.
Guiseley 1-1 Ossett United (Guiseley win 7-6 on penalties) | Tuesday 6th February 2024 | Nethermoor Park
Attendance: 257
Team: 1. Ollie Battersby, 2. Ollie Brown (63′ Walker), 3. Reece Kendall, 4. Leigh Whelan, 5. Josh Ashman, 6. Jameel Ible, 7. Michael Afuye (76′ Mariette), 8. Liam Tongue, 9. Tom Denton (80′ Murphy), 10. Gabriel Johnson (88′ Ekpolo), 11. Kofi Moore (63′ Chippendale).
Subs: 12. Prince Ekpolo, 14. Luke Mariette, 15. Aiden Walker, 16. Callum Chippendale and 17. Kallan Murphy.