This weekend saw our Ladies’ team look to bounce back from last week’s 2-1 defeat at York City; the girls were unlucky to walk away with a minimum of a point with York taking the lead with minutes to go in the close tie. With last week’s game being their first in 8 weeks it was crucial to put in a strong performance and improve match fitness.
With the home fixture with Hull City ending in a 4-1 home win back in September, the Ladies knew they were capable of a repeat performance but had a big mountain to climb with 6 games unbeaten in the league since October.
Guiseley started brightly with some good stages of possession, Julie Richardson was showing her great pace along the right wing with strong support from full back Polly Fildes. Hull pressed early with a couple of chances gone a miss with some fantastic defending by Laura Danskin and Katie Matthews communicating well with the keeper to frustrate the Hull forwards. Guiseley took the early lead with some great link up play from Alarna Fuller and Amy Parker leading to the Hull centre back to miss kick the ball with Caroline Hulme switched on to take the loose ball and fire home in the top corner leaving the goalkeeper with no chance.
Amy Parker took an early knock and was substituted for Rachel White after on around 20 minutes.
Hull continued to have their chances with a couple of decent free kick efforts going wide and some comfortable saves from shots in and around the box. Guiseley kept up to their early tempo of the game and Richardson scored the second goal of the game with a 25 yard screamer on her left foot, her second goal in 2 games from distance.
Hull upped their game with some longer periods of possession, resulting in a free kick just outside the box. The Hull winger whipped the free kick which looked to be going wide before it hit the inside of the post and into the back of the net. The half time whistle followed making it 1-2 to the away side at half time.
Hull started the second half with an equalising goal from kick off, smashing across goal and again hitting the inside of the post sending the ball across and behind the line.
Guiseley immediately picked up the tempo with some great link up play down the wings from Caroline Cropp and Neely Murrell. Pressing for the lead again, Murrell let fire with a fantastic strike leaving the keeper helpless.
Again Guiseley pressed with Polly Fildes linking well with Richardson on the right wing, causing their fullbacks carnage with her pace. Rachel White was holding the ball up well and using her height as a key strength to fend off the Hull midfield, feeding balls onto the wings and Caroline Hulme. Hulme scored her second goal through great link up play and confusion again within the Hull defence! Score now 2-4 to Guiseley.
Hull pressed with shots and numerous corners, Danskin dominated the 6 yard box giving Hull no sniff of the ball constantly putting herself on the line showing a fantastic defensive display alongside captain Katie Matthews, Cropp and Fildes also showing a fine defensive display holding off Hull’s strong playmaker no 10. Barker and Fuller continued to support both the defence and forwards giving 110%, Barker made way for Katie Jesson and Hulme was replaced by Lindsey Hopton who was returning from a long ankle injury. The game was very much end to end with chances coming from both teams, Hull got a late chance with a late penalty with the Hull forward taking the keeper the wrong way. With minutes left Guiseley maintained possession and walked away with a well-deserved away win, double over Hull and most importantly three points.
Manager Liam Kelly said in reflection:
“‘All the credit to the players today, this wasa vital win for us and the professional job today got usthe 3 points. Tacticallythey delivered the game plan, technically we were better than last week, but gameintelligence and mental strength wasthe defining factor inthe win. Going 2-0upearly on in the first halfup is always nice. But I always feel a2-0 lead early in a game is always risky, and goal number 3 and 4 normallydictatesthe direction ofthemomentum to get the 3 points. Today Hull got the 3rd and 4th goal,but we finishedthe job of, showed terrific team work, high work ethic andthe ability to retain possession. Today we learnt how to winfootball matches. Butthere is room forimprovement, we have to be aware we conceded 3 goals and we need to work harder on protecting leads and our goalkeeper”
“And within this good team performance there was some terrific individual displays; Richardson scoredthe best goal I have ever seen in Women’s football, timing, body position, positioning, technique it had it all. Barker gave us somethingdifferent inthe middle ofthe park, regained and retained possession well, positional intelligence was ofthe highest and technically helpedthe retention ofthe ball. And then you haveFildes who was involved in so many events ofthe game, offered great positions forthe ball and very good decisions.But a massive‘hats off’ to Danskin,magnificent performance, movement, work ethic, protection, bravery. She certainly deliveredher best performance under us and played a vital part inthe win”
The ladies take on Northern Combination side Huddersfield Town in the Quarter Final of the County Cup next week at Nethermoor KO to be confirmed.
