To find out how Guiseley progressed through to the next round of the Emirates FA Cup and Matlock ended the game with nine men read more in our match report sponsored by BuildADrive.com.
It was certainly Lions versus Gladiators in an incident packed cup tie at Nethermoor this evening as Guiseley progressed through to the next round of the Emirates FA Cup and the visitors had Liam Hughes sent off early doors, and then went behind to a penalty from Lebrun Mbeka. Worse was to follow as Adam Yates was dismissed midway through the second half and a second goal from Jonathan Wafula all but settled the tie.
The game got off to a sensational start as Matlock midfielder Spencer Harris crashed a shot off the bar in their very first attack and Adam Yates headed just over from a good position.
Then with just seven minutes on the clock, Town were reduced to ten men when Hughes was shown a straight red card for an off-the-ball incident in front of the dugouts.
Matlock clearly had a game plan to disrupt the Lions flowing football and prior to the sending off it had been effective but with the home side now in the ascendancy, things got even worse for the visitors on 24 minutes as they conceded a penalty when the man marking on Kaine Felix went awry, leading to him being upended by Byrne the box, and Mbeka stepped up to convert his second penalty in successive games. Yates was also booked for his continued protests at the decision.
As the Lions went for the kill Wafula put a header just wide but when Town were awarded a free kick in a central position, they wasted the opportunity to square matters as the ball sailed high over the bar.
Matlock resumed the second half where they had left off the first with several forages that all came to nothing but it was the home side who went closest as Howarth fired over from an acute angle.
As the teams left the field at halftime one of the Town management team approached the referee and after some discussion was directed towards the players tunnel, while substitute Kayde Coppin apparently made several comments to the officials and it emerged on the resumption that he had also been shown a red card for his troubles,without ever entering the field of play.
Kendall put a header wide as the visitors pressed but put themselves under more unnecessary pressure when they were reduced to nine men after Yates had hauled down Felix and for his second yellow and the mandatory red card.
Despite the deficit in numbers Osebi Abadaki set up Cesaire Lingouba but his shot went the wrong side of the post.
The Gladiators defence had managed to keep Felix relatively quiet but it was strike partner Wafula who got the vital touch to a loose ball in the six yard box on 68 minutes to give the home side some breathing space.
But if Guiseley thought this was job done they were given a rude awakening as Ryan Qualter’s header came back off the bar.
However, the final fifteen minutes saw the home side take control without adding to their tally, despite efforts from Jack Ryan and Brad Nicholson and although it hadn’t been a classic, the Lions are in the draw for the Fourth Qualifying Round and now just one game off the First Round Proper, when the League One and Two teams enter the fray.
The appeal from both clubs to those watching the game on the free YouTube stream to consider a contribution to the Jordan Sinnott Foundation raised just under £900 on the evening, so,a heartfelt thanks to all of those who contributed. If anyone still wishes to donate the Just Giving page can be found here.
Team:
1. Brad Wade
2. George Cantrill
3. Brad Nicholson
4. Mark Howarth
5. Hamza Bencherif (C) (Hall 83′)
6. Dan Cowan
7. Kaine Felix (Ryan 74′)
8. Prince Ekpolo (Gillam 70′)
9. Lebrun Mbeka
10. Jonathan Wafula
11. Gabriel Johnson
Subs:
12. Isaac Currie
14. Hagie Damba
15. Matty Gillam
16. Ashton Hall
17. Nathan Newall
18. Jack Ryan
19. Lewis Hay
