Haw Strikes First Senior Goal To Earn The Lions A Point

Guiseley earned their first point since they resumed play with a much improved performance in a physical encounter at Latimer Park against Paul Cox’s Kettering Town writes Joe Priestley, read more in our match report sponsored by BuildADrive.com.

The first chance of the game fell to Gabriel Johnson who was just beaten to the ball by Adam Collin in the Kettering goal, leaving Johnson with only a yellow card for the challenge for his efforts. However it was Kettering who would find themselves under the referees watch next as Decarrey Sheriff hacked George Cantrill to the ground and Michael Ritchens conceded a handful of fouls in quick succession.

The Lions had a series of half chances, in what was a slow start for, both sides with Andy Kellett launching a long effort towards goal and a threatening ball from Mark Howarth being the best of the few.

It was Kettering who created the most dangerous chance in the opening half an hour as a long throw from Connor Kennedy deceived The Lions defence and only Brad Wade could deny Josh Scott at the near post and it took a clearance from Gabriel Johnson to prevent a second chance from the resulting corner.

The Lions gifted the hosts a goal shortly after as a poor throw-in gave Connor Kennedy the chance to slot the ball past a stunned Brad Wade. Prince Ekpolo tried to respond instantly with an equaliser but his shot was blasted over after riding the chance expertly and going one on one with the keeper.

Ekpolo found himself on the end of a nasty kick to the ankle by Connor Kennedy but the resulting free kick was easily picked up by Kettering who continued to tussle for The Lions with possession and the fantastic attacking work of utility man Gary Stohrer put Brad Wade’s goal under even more pressure but The Lions held on and went into the break just the one goal down, following a half where good possession was beaten by a more clinical home side.

The first chance of the second half fell to Mark Howarth who unleashed a thunderbolt effort but could only find the side netting, before Adam Haw broke through on goal only to be nailed by defender Luke Graham who received a yellow card. Graham found himself up the other end straight after and saw his header cleared off the line by Andy Kellett to deny The Poppies a second before Brad Wade was clattered to end the attack.

Gabriel Johnson then put the ball in the back of the net only to be flagged for offside, a correct but unfortunate decision after some promising buildup play as tempers continued to flare, but Kettering spurred to create a promising chance down the right hand channel as Decaray Sheriff worked the space but was unable to find a connecting ball to double the home side’s advantage.

Adam Haw scored his first goal for The Lions to bring the game level when Haw reacted to a back pass from a Kettering defender and slotted the ball past the keeper to give The Lions a fighting chance of three points. The Lions then won a penalty late on in dramatic fashion but the veteran goalkeeper, Adam Collin, got two hands to Lebrun Mbeka’s spot kick to keep the game level and give the home side a spur for the final few minutes.

Kettering had a phenomenal chance to win it at the end of the game through Lorne Buckley who saw a superb effort parried by Brad Wade but it proved to be the last chance of the game as a tough, physical contest came to an end.

The Lions came back to West Yorkshire with a point, but with the unfortunate knowledge that it could have been so much more as The Lions pick up their first point since they returned from self-isolation. Guiseley are back on the road on Saturday as they journey to AFC Telford United in search of three important points at the New Bucks Head.

Marcus Bignot’s post match thoughts

Team:
1. Brad Wade, 2. George Cantrill, 3. Nathan Newall, 4. Mark Howarth, 5. Hamza Bencherif (C), 6. Isaac Currie (45′ Nicholson), 7. Andy Kellett, 9. Kian Harratt (35′ Haw), 10. Lebrun Mbeka, 11. Gabriel Johnson (70′ Ryan) and 18. Prince Ekpolo.
Subs:
12. Dan Cowan, 14. Lewis Hey, 15. Jack Ryan (70′ Johnson), 16. Brad Nicholson (45′ Currie) and 17. Adam Haw (35′ Harratt).

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