Guiseley defeated Morpeth Town 3-1 , who were reduced to just nine men, with a clinical performance in a lively game fought under tricky conditions, writes David Bridson.

Top scorer Jordan Thewlis’ scissor-like volley finish via a clever John Lufudu cross put the Lions in front on the quarter-hour mark.

Town’s Nathan Buddle was shown a straight red card on 69 minutes for hauling down substitute Taylor Bowen while he was the last man in defence.

Lufudu’s superb edge-of the-box curler doubled Guiseley’s advantage on 76 minutes.

But mere moments later Morpeth silenced a buoyant Nethermoor crowd as JJ Hooper slotted calmly past Joe Cracknell.

Ryan Chater was shown a second yellow on 88 minutes, seeing red for throwing the ball down in frustration.

Will Longbottom saw off the deflated visitors with a fine strike into the bottom corner in the 91st minute.

The home crowd were delighted to see Lucas Odunston make his first start after a long injury lay-off.

Guiseley began the game sprightly as Amir Berchil made a trademark dashing run in the fourth minute before opposition goalkeeper Dan Langley did well to catch his teasing cross.

Leon Gibson-Booth’s attempt was pushed away by a high-alert Cracknell four minutes later.

The crafty Lufudu saw a shot blocked in the 11th minute.

Thewlis could have opened the scoring a minute later but his effort lacked power.

But the striker’s gymnastic-like finish, akin to his one of his goals in the victory over Prescot Cables earlier this season, gave Guiseley the lead.

Lebrun Mbeka’s header flashed across goal in the 17th minute prior to Will Longbottom shooting over.

Longbottom hit wide in the 21st minute as the persistant Lions caused the visitors defensive woe.

Thewlis saw an effort blocked three minutes later before Ollie Brown made a stunning tackle to deny a Morpeth counter attack.

Jack Emmett’s attempt was parried away by the busy Langley in the 27th minute.

Thewlis was ruled offside on the half hour mark following a decent passing exchange between dangerous wingers Berchil and Lufudu.

A minute later Cracknell reacted magnificently to save Chater’s strike with his feet before Will Dowling’s exqusite curling effort struck the crossbar.

Billy Gordon also slammed a home post with a cross in the 36th minute before Luke James lashed a shot over.

Jake Lawlor made a solid block to deny Gordon six minutes later before Emmett’s chance was blasted away by a run-ragged away defence.

James’ strike blazed across the goal-line five minutes into the second half.

A vigorous Thewlis saw another shot well saved by Langley a minute later in this often end-to-end encounter.

Longbottom unleashed a thunderous strike in the 58th minute but the tireless Langley palmed it away.

Substitute Sam Bentley played a neat through ball to Thewlis in the 62nd minute but the robust striker was once again ruled offside.

Odunston denied Hooper with a solid tackle mid-way through the second half as heavy rain drenched Nethermoor.

Buddle’s straight red left the visitors with an even tougher challenge.

An action packed spell five minutes later saw Berchil’s cross blocked before Longbottom’s shot was seen off by a drained visiting back-line.

Lufudu’s fierce strike was then hit away before the same player saw an effort well saved.

His beautiful finish seemed to have seen off the thorny visiting outfit but Hooper’s goal left the Lions facing a nervy end to a topsy-turvy match.

Bentley’s shot was palmed away after a dazzling run with ten minutes to spare.

Dowling seemed poised to equalise in the 87th minute but his attempt was deflected away by the hard-working Lawlor.

Chater’s dismissal gave the visitors a mountain to climb with little time left to level.

Longbottom’s stylish finish finally saw-off the stubborn opposition.

The result sees the Lions move up to 11th in the Pitching In Northern Premier League Premier Division table.

Guiseley are next away at league-leaders Lancaster City on Saturday 27th September with a 3pm kick-off.

Guiseley 3-1 Morpeth Town | Saturday 20th September 2025 | Nethermoor

Attendance: 443

Team: 1. Joe Cracknell, 2. Lucas Odunston, 3. Ollie Brown, 4. Jamie Spencer (58′ Bentley), 5. Lebrun Mbeka, 6. Jake Lawlor, 7. John Lufudu, 8. Jack Emmett, 9. Jordan Thewlis (68′ Bowen), 10. Amir Berchil (85′ Ferguson) and 11. Will Longbottom (90′ Silva).

Subs: 12. Connor Ferguson, 14. Sam Bentley, 15. Tom Senior, 16. Taylor Bowen and 17. Joao Silva.