Guiseley bounced back from two consecutive league defeats with a hard-fought 2-1 win in the F.A Cup Second Qualifying Round over league rivals Stalybridge Celtic at Bower Fold.
Lions’ manager Steve Kittrick had criticised his side’s lack of forward momentum following their 1-0 defeat to Gainsborough last Saturday but will have been pleased with the start his side made to the tie. Guiseley had the better of the opening exchanges, with Gavin Rothery having the pick of the chances, seeing his header saved by goalkeeper Jan Budtz.
Celtic then began to get a grip on the game, with Lloyd Ellams crashing an effort on to the Guiseley post. The breakthrough moment came on 25 minutes when in-form Gavin Rothery floated a cross for Alex Davidson to nod into the path of former Celtic player Lee Ellington, who headed home.
The second half began with Celtic looking to get back into the match and they piled on the pressure for large periods of the half. On the hour mark a shot whistled past Drench’s right hand post, while a mix-up between Danny Ellis and Steven Drench minutes later gave Celtic a chance of levelling matters. Ellis later had to be substituted after appearing to suffer an arm injury and he was taken to hospital after the match.
It was almost full time when the remaining two goals were struck. Guiseley forward Gavin Allott raced on to a long ball from Michael Burns and got himself into a one-on-one position with Budtz. Allott’s shot was saved by Budtz before it ricocheted back off the big striker and into the goal in the 92nd minute. There was also time for Celtic’s Phil Marsh to pull a goal back with a well-executed bicycle kick.
After the game, Kittrick told of his delight with his squad’s response to recent results.
“It’s great when a manager asks for his players to do something and you get a response. You get everyone putting a shift in. I think we deserved it because of how we addressed it and how we went about it today”, he said.
“I think it sends a message out that we’ve had a bit of a blip but now we’ve come here, beaten Stalybridge in their own back yard and done well.”
Guiseley side: Drench, Ainge (C), Merris, Toner, Ellis (Burns), Bower, Baldry, Clarke, Ellington (Allott), A Davidson (O’Neill), Rothery.
Subs (not used): P Davidson, Booker, Giles.
