Guiseley fell to a narrow defeat on Tuesday night as a late Tom Bradbury goal sealed a narrow victory for visitors Harrogate Town in the Lions’ opening pre-season friendly, writes Simon Bullock.
Guiseley started the first half strong and came close to opening the scoring when Amir Berchil was sent through on goal by a perfectly weighted Joe Cracknell pass over the top of everybody, but Mark Oxley was quick off his line to make a save and put the ball behind for a corner.
The Lions continued to push for a first-half opener, but the Harrogate defence stood firm until Berchil was clipped inside the penalty area with five minutes of the half remaining and the referee pointed to the penalty spot. Lebrun Mbeka stepped up to take and lifted the spot kick high, but Oxley was equal to it and palmed the ball away to keep the score level at the break.
Harrogate made a wide array of changes for the second half and grew into the game. Bradbury nearly opened the scoring on the hour mark, heading over from close range and just a few minutes after, Shawn McCoulsky rattled the crossbar with a header of his own.
The Lions best chance of the half came when John Lufudu found space down the right and delivered an inviting ball across the six yard box which was met first time by Trialist C at the back post, but his right-footed strike was well stopped by Oxley, scrambling across his goal line to keep the tie goalless.
In the latter stages of the game, McCoulsky worked a couple of good opportunities only to blaze his efforts well over Cracknell’s goal but the breakthrough would eventually come for the League Two side.
Stephen Duke McKenna won and took a free-kick 25 yards from goal which forced a good save from Cracknell, high and to his right, but Bradbury was there to tap home the rebound. Guiseley protests for a foul in amongst penalty area chaos were ignored by the referee and the goal was allowed to stand.
That was the last meaningful action of the game and after two minutes of added time the referee brought a close to proceedings. It was a good first pre-season run out for the Lions against a League Two outfit and now attention turns to a trip Golcar United on Saturday and another opportunity to build fitness ahead of the upcoming season.
Guiseley 0-1 Harrogate Town | Tuesday 8th July 2025 | Nethermoor Park
Attendance: 639
Guiseley: 1. Joe Cracknell, 2. Sam Bentley (80′ Spence), 3. Ollie Brown, 4. Jamie Spencer, 5. Lebrun Mbeka (C), 7. John Lufudu (52′ Trialist A), 8. Harrison Hopper (80′ Trialist E), 9. Jordan Thewlis (31′ Bowen), 10. Amir Berchil (46′ Longbottom), 14. João Silva (52′ Trialist B) and 19. Trialist D (46′ Trialist C).
Subs: 11. Will Longbottom, 12. Marley Spence, 13. Spencer Booth (GK) 15. Trialist A, 16. Trialist B, 17. Trialist C, 18. Taylor Bowen and 6. Trialist E.
Harrogate Town (first-half): 1. Mark Oxley, 4. Jack Evans, 10. Mason Bennett, 15. Anthony O’Connor, 18. Jack Muldoon, 19. Tom Hill, 22. Reece Smith, 24. Lewis Cass, 27. Ben Fox (Barnes 30’). Liam Gibson and James Moorby (Etherington 14’).
Harrogate Town (second-half): 1. Mark Oxley, 2. Zico Asare, 5. Tom Bradbury, 8. Bryn Morris, 9. Shawn McCoulsky, 11. Stephen Duke-McKenna, 20. Bobby Faulkner, 25. Tom Cursons, 28. Marcus Etherington, 29. Lucas Barnes and Trialist.
