Ladies defeated to close league campaign

Guiseley 2   Peterlee St Francis 3

The ladies ended their league campaign with a disappointing defeat at home to Peterlee.

Needing a point to secure third place in the league Guiseley started much the better, with the majority of the play being in the visitors’ half. In spite of long periods of pressure all Guiseley were creating few clear cut chances, a couple of shots from distance and an effort in to the side netting failed to trouble the keeper. Midway through the half Peterlee failed to clear a corner, the ball was played back in to Bethan Smith, and the young striker finished from close range. Guiseley remained on top for the rest of the first half, and at the interval it appeared a question of how many they would win by.

Early in the second half the visitors somewhat surprisingly drew level, as a cross field ball split the defence allowing the central striker to knock the ball past Danni Maslin.  Within two minutes Guiseley regained the lead, as Tanya Rich’s through ball allowed Caroline Hulme to round the keeper and roll the ball home. Not to be outdone, Peterlee responded rapidly themselves. The ball sat up nicely from a throw in for a finish from a tight angle.

Guiseley now went chasing the game, but too often played the wrong ball, held on too long, or played a ball between two players. In contrast, Peterlee looked dangerous every time they went forward, with the Guiseley back line appearing unusually rattled. With fifteen minutes left they were caught playing the ball out it was switched quickly to the left winger, who took the ball round Maslin to give the visitors for the lead for the first time in the game.

Guiseley searched in vain for an equaliser, but despite a large amount of possession failed to really work the visiting keeper. Caroline Hulme came closest to earning a point, hitting a post after a scramble in the box, but it was increasingly obvious a third goal was not going to come. The disappointment was evident, but credit to Peterlee, who were unrecognisable from the team seen in the first half.

With Whitley Bay awarded a walkover against Lepton Highlanders the ladies dropped a place to fourth in the final league table. On May 18th they face Hull City Ladies in the League Cup Southern Area final, the match being played at Hull University.

Next Up:

3:00 pm
Pitching In Northern Premier League Premier Division

Guiseley vs Ilkeston Town