Guiseley put in a strong performance, but it wasn’t enough as they exited the Isuzu FA Trophy by a narrow 1-0 scoreline at the hands of FC Halifax Town at Nethermoor writes Cayden Sands.

The opening 10 minutes saw the underdog Lions having the better of their Vanarama National League opponents with a number of good passes and some set-pieces, but nothing would come of this otherwise positive start.

Just shy of 17 minutes had passed before the first real chance fell in favour of the home side, with Angus Chapman capitalising on a defensive error from Halifax to fire the ball at keeper Sam Johnson, but his effort saved and eventually cleared by the Shaymen.

Despite this, it would be the visitors who would take the lead against the run of play on 19 minutes after a low ball found the feet of Festus Arthur in the penalty area, with the defender controlling the ball well to smash it past Kyle Trenerry and into the roof of the net.

Guiseley didn’t seem to be stirred by this setback, immediately getting on the attack a number of times in the following minutes and coming close on more than one occasion, but the visitors managed to hold firm against the onslaught.

As the game passed the 30 minute mark, the excitement had largely fizzled out, with only the odd chance scattered here and there for either side, but all still to play for as half-time approached.

The Shaymen nearly doubled their lead just before the break after a through-ball connected with Jamie Warburton, but his tame effort would fail to trouble Trenerry and role wide of the net in what would prove to be the last chance of a competitive half in game that was far from over up to this point.

The second-half started as an open affair that saw Guiseley moving the ball well and into the danger area, but a seeming lack of willingness to pull the trigger ended up preventing a Lions equaliser, with Halifax nearly making them pay on 55 minutes, but Trenerry was there to catch a close-range header from Mani Dieseruvwe.

The hour mark came and went with the Lions showing a greater attacking intent, but minus a 66th minute cross that showed promise, the issue remained of the team being unable to capitalise on their momentum in the final third, an issue that would need to be remedied quickly if they wanted anything out of the game.

Guiseley’s best spell of the half saw a pair of chances test the visitors’ defence on 78 minutes, with the first being a Lewis Whitman effort that was saved by Johnson, before the ball would find the head of Kwame Boateng just seconds later, but the defender narrowly headed over.

The Lions’ late momentum continued, but they were denied consecutively again on 84 minutes after substitute Adam Haw struck a thunderbolt that was deflected safely into the hands of Johnson, before Walker tested the Halifax keeper again immediately after, but the shot was caught.

Guiseley’s efforts would be in vain, exiting the Isuzu FA Trophy by the narrowest margins after a battling performance against higher league opposition, but their attentions now turn to the league and their Boxing Day fixture against Atherton Collieries at Nethermoor.

Guiseley 0-1 FC Halifax Town  | Tuesday 20th December 2022 | Nethermoor