If the avowed intention of Guiseley’s new management team is to put the smile back on the supporters faces then they need to recover the positive vibes that were so evident from the pre-season performances after Chorley left Nethermoor with the points in the bag from a 2-0 victory.
On their return to the National League North the Lions starting lineup for their first home game showed just one change from Saturday with Kayode Odejayi replacing Paul Clayton up front.
As at Boston the team started strongly against a Chorley side that had defeated much fancied York City in their opener at Victory Park on Saturday, but with only Niall Heaton’s header straight at Cameron Belford the signs looked ominous.
And so it proved as Alex Newby put paid to any early optimism by driving home a cross at the far post on 38 minutes to give Chorley the lead.
Hopes were raised midway through the second half when Scott Garner converted Cliff Moyo’s cross only for the goal to be disallowed for offside and any hopes of a Guiseley comeback were extinguished when Adam Blakeman doubled the visitor’s advantage on 72 minutes.
Guiseley management responded by replacing Will Hatfield, Alex Purver and Rowan Liburd with Curtis Morrison, Kaine Felix and Paul Clayton in an effort to freshen things up, and with Andy Halls pushed into midfield the Lions finally had someone who was willing to pull the strings and make things happen.
Morrison and Felix being the main recipient’s, the latter wasting a good opportunity when he chose to cross rather than shoot and the chance was lost.
While Clayton’s header had Belford saving down at his post, Elliot Newby missed a glorious opportunity to put his side three up when he blazed over the bar from a good position late on.
While it may be early doors there is a feeling of Groundhog Day and the fans will be looking for something far more positive from Saturday’s home game against AFC Telford at Nethermoor.
Team:
Green
2 Moyo
3 Heaton
4 James
5 Garner
6 Halls
7 Purver
8 Hatfield
9 Liburd
10 Odejayi
11 Thompson
12 Dyche
14 Thornton
15 Morrison
16 Felix
17 Clayton
