Guiseley continued their pre-season campaign with the trialists shining in a 1-0 victory over York City writes Cayden Sands.
The Lions would have a positive start to the game, creating chances thanks to the likes of striker Jake Cassidy and Trialists B and C getting the Minstermen’s defence working early on.
16 minutes would pass before the first real chance of the game, with York’s Gus Mafuta powering the ball just over the bar, perhaps preventing a certain goal given the speed of his effort.
Guiseley would then find themselves having to defend more frequently, though they would prove difficult for the visitors to break down, with defender George Smith particularly impressing, even getting an applause out of the Nethermoor Park crowd for a particular defensive moment.
Rather oddly for a pre-season friendly, both sides were putting in crunching tackles, much to the disdain of the crowd, which made it difficult for either side to consistently keep momentum, something that both sides has gathered earlier on.
The teams would go in at half-time level, with some strong performances at the back being the story of the game so far, though everyone will have been hoping for some goals after the break.
Guiseley would come out of the blocks strong at the start of the second-half, with Cassidy having a close-ranged effort well-saved by Ethan Ross with just north of 50 minutes gone.
58 minutes had passed before the first effort for the visitors, who would have certainly had the lead if it wasn’t for the close-range heroics of Guiseley’s second-half keeper Scott Moloney to keep the scores level.
Just three minutes later the hosts would take what some would feel was a deserved lead thanks to Trialist C, who caught a throw-in with his head and was able to slot the ball past Ross from close-range, rewarding the Lions for their positive spells throughout the game.
Trialist C almost doubled his tally on 66 minutes, using his speed to charge into the box and make fools of the York defence, much to the adoration of the crowd, to take the ball into the box and hit a low effort that ultimately went wide.
Following this, the game became a bit of a back and forth affair, with both sides having half-chances that ultimately came to nothing, allowing Guiseley to hold on for a good pre-season victory against Vanarama National League opposition.
The Lions will take many positives from this performance and will use it as a clear indicator of what they’re capable of come the start of the season, whilst York had their moments, but were ultimately unable to produce anything at one of their historic bogey grounds.
Attendance: 399
Guiseley 1-0 York City | Wednesday 20th July 2022 | Nethermoor
Team: 1. Kyle Trenerry, 2. Trialist A, 3. George Smith (C), 4. Ethan Cartwright, 5. Jorge Sikora, 6. Jameel Ible, 7. John Johnston, 8. Luke Dean, 9. Jake Cassidy, 10. Trialist B and 11. Trialist C.
Subs: 12. Foley Nkem, 13. Scott Moloney (GK), 14. Adam Haw, 15. Nat Crofts, 16. Shaun Tuton, 17. Lewis Gardner, 18. Trialist D, 19. Jakub Hebda, 20. Trialist E, 21. Trialist F and 22. Harrison Leigh.
