Guiseley took full advantage of an extended break, courtesy of being eliminated from the FA Cup two weeks ago, to register their third win of the season against a Torquay side still seeking their first win since September.
Manager Adam Lockwood was forced to rotate his squad for this afternoon’s game due to the absence of Simon Walton and Jake Lawlor who were both serving one match bans as a result of their recent dismissals. New signing Joel Logan started his Guiseley career on the bench.
Will Hatfield set the expectation early on shooting wide from distance before Danny Est saw his header fumbled by visiting keeper Brendan Moore with nobody on hand to take advantage..
The home sides pressure eventually paid dividends as Connor Brown whipped in a cross from then right flank for on for Jordan Preston to control and rifle past Moore for the opener on fourteen minutes.
Shortly after Ben Gerring played a clearance straight to Adam Boyes who shot straight at Moore, however Jake Cassidy was more decisive as he headed home a cross from Will Hatfield on nineteen minutes.
The same player then spurned the chance to put the game to bed as he saw his spot kick saved by Moore after Hatfield had been tripped in the area.
Boyes then put another good chance just wide and Nathan Blissett headed over for the visitors from a good position .
The Gulls responded to a disappointing first half performance by replacing Sam Chaney with on loan Wimbledon winger David Fitzpatrick who joined the Gulls late last week.
While Fitzpatrick had an immediate impact, it was the home side who went closest as Preston drifted across the eighteen-yard box and forced Moore to turn his low shot round the post.
Cassidy then took advantage of a quick break but blazed his shot way over before good work from Rob Atkinson saw the lively Cassidy head straight at Moore.
Luke Young put a free kick over for the visitors and Hatfield’s persistence set up Alex Purver but Moore was equal to the midfielders his shot and turned it round the post.
And despite a concerted second half effort from the visitors Jonathan Maxted was hardly challenged and as the clock ticked down the Lions gave a home debut to new signing Joel Lagan safe in the knowledge that the margin of victory could have been far greater with more clinical finishing.
The win lifts the Lions of the foot of the table courtesy of North Ferriby’s draw at Woking.
Team:
26 Maxted
2 Brown
3 Lowe
19 Preston (Williams 77)
9 Boyes (Logan 89)
8 Hatfield
22 Palmer
22 Purver
23 East
29 Cassidy (Rankine 92)
25 Atkinson
Subs:
4 Vidal
11 Rankine
17 Atkinson
20 Williams
32 Logan
Adam lockwood post match:
Connor Browm’s thoughts on his return to action:



