Guiseley gave their supporters some Xmas cheer with a much needed home win – their first since late September and a second clean sheet into the bargain-  as two second half goals from home debutant Chris Sang and substitute Lee Shaw put paid to Play-Off chasing Farsley’s hopes in a tightly contested local derby at Nethermoor.

The Lions retained the same line-up that drew at Hereford on Saturday with Barnsley loanee Sang leading the line in place of the injured Aaron Martin. Kennedy Digie also continued in the centre of defence as skipper Scott Garner continued his suspension.

In the first meeting between the clubs for thirteen years the early exchanges of the first half proved to be a a battle of the midfields with clear cut chances being few and far between.

That was before the visitors went close just before the half hour as first Reiss McNally cleared off the line and Nathan Cartman skewed a shot wide from a good position.

For their part Guiseley were getting behind Farsley down the flanks but couldn’t craft any clear openings until neat interplay between Kaine Felix and George Cantrill down the right saw the latter bring a superb save from Elliott Wynne as he tipped the midfielders goal bound effort over the bar on 44 minutes.

With both teams growing in confidence something had to give and it was the home side that broke the deadlock ten minutes after the restart when Felix’s shot was blocked and as it fell to Sang, he hit a first time screamer from twenty-five yards into the top corner that left Wynne a mere bystander.

A swift counter attack nearly produced another goal as Felix picked out the unmarked Gabriel Johnson but Wynne was quick off the mark to close down and smother the danger.

The lively Sang then found himself free with only Wynne to beat but was denied by a superb interception by centre back Steve Higgins.

Now playing with verve and confidence after the goal the Lions went for the kill as both Aaron Soleman and Felix went close to doubling their advantage.

Ben Atkinson had a clear opportunity at the other end to halve the arrears but found Marcus Dewhurst equal to his effort with the England Under-19 keeper using his feet to good advantage.

With seven minutes remaining the result was put beyond doubt as another quick counter attack saw the visitors defence stretched as Felix found Shaw for the striker to pick his spot and fire under the advancing Wynne.

Johnson nearly put the icing on the Christmas Cake in the dying seconds but the covering Jordan Richards was on hand to clear off the line.

Attendance: 1048

Team:

1. Marcus Dewhurst
2. Reiss McNally
3. Brad Nicholson
4. Andrai Jones
5. Hamza Bencherif
6. Kennedy Digie
7. Kaine Felix,
8. George Cantrill
9. Chris Sang (Lee Shaw 77)
10. Aram Soleman
11. Gabriel Johnson

Subs:

12. Scott Smith
14. Dylan Barkers
15. Lee Shaw
16. Paul Clayton
17. Nathan Newall