By John Clements

Two second half goals from Andy Holdsworth added to a first half strike from Josh Wilson saw the Lions complete a holiday double over local rivals Park Avenue at a soggy Horsfall Stadium this afternoon.

An early morning pitch inspection saw the game given the go-ahead and the visitors were first to threaten with Jack Rea’s rising shot being tipped over by John Lamb. Wayne Brooksby was booked for an altercation with a home defender and Josh Wilson’s cross evaded everyone as it flashed across the six yard box.

Guiseley debutant Aaron Hardy made a timely goaline clearance only for the ball to fall to Danny Holland but the striker blazed over from 18 yards out before the visitors took the lead on 35 minutes when a Josh Wilson latched on to a through ball and with Avenue’s defence appealing for offside calmly shot beyond Lamb into the bottom corner.

The lead lasted barely ten minutes when following a corner and wity the ball pinging about in the area, Holland applied the final touch to square matters just before the break.

Immediately on the resumption some intricate play on the right flank eventually saw a chance created for Wilson but his shot was tipped over by Lamb. Danny Ellis then put a header wide from six yards out and when Rhys Meynell fed Kevin Holsgrove the striker pulled the ball back for Wayne Brooksby who took too long to fashion a shot and the danger was cleared.

James Walshaw replaced Holsgrove on 65 minutes and when Brooksby was fouled the substitute lined up with Andy Holdsworth to take the free kick but then left the Lions captain to hit a sweet low shot past the wall into the bottom corner from twenty five yards out to restore Guiseley’s lead on 74 minutes. Three minutes later Holdsworth doubled the Lions lead with a carbon copy free kick from the apex of the penalty area again beating Lamb with a shot into the bottom corner.

The win ensures that Guiseley keep tabs on pacesetters Chester whilst opening up a none point gap over third placed Brackley who lost 2-1 at Oxford City.

Hear Steve Kittrick’s thoughts on the game here.

Team:

1. Steve Drench
2. Aaron Hardy
3. Rhys Meynell
4. Jack Area
5. Danny Ellis
6. Andy Pearson
7. Danny Boshell (Dale 84)
8. Andy Holdsworth
9. Kevin Holsgrove (Walshaw 62)
10. Josh Wilson
11. Wayne Brooksby (O’Reilly 84)
12. O’Reilly

14. James Walshaw
15. Zack Dale
16. Andy McWilliams
18. Jacob Giles