Lions Roar Their Way Through Difficult Cup Tie

Guiseley progressed to the Third Round Qualifying of the Emirates FA Cup following an assured victory over a battling 1874 Northwich, writes Edward Robertson.

Manager Mark Bower was satisfied that Guiseley could extend their cup run. “We did what we needed to get through. The first half had some tough conditions and we invited a couple of our own problems but we knew our fitness levels would come through and they did.”

There was a two division gap between the sides at Nethermoor and the Lions were keen to exploit it. With only fifteen minutes on the clock, some neat play between John Lufudu and Lebrun Mbeka nearly scraped the ball past goalkeeper Mike Shorthouse.

Another chance passed the hosts by. Will Longbottom’s dipping cross picked out Gabriel Johnson. However, his looping header could only skim the crossbar.

With just under half an hour gone, an incensed Guiseley called for a penalty. Lufudu was bundled to the floor in the box by Niall Osborne, but referee Christopher Porter waved away the home side’s protests.

It was then the visitor’s turn to attack. Marty Fenton swung in a cross to Liam Fitzpatrick, but Joe Cracknell leapt before them to collect the ball much to the Lions’ relief.

The second half started in much the same vein as the first, as a stubborn Northwich side continued to hold out against the hosts.

However, the deadlock was finally broken with an hour gone. Longbottom stepped up for another set piece on the edge of the box. His curling effort sailed into the top right corner, as he once again demonstrated his free kick expertise.

And the lead was doubled only ten minutes later. A threaded pass from Johnson was met by Jack Emmett. The forward steamed past Northwich’s back line and fired home for his first goal at Nethermoor.

The hosts’ exerted their dominance over the game with a string of tidy passes and comfortable play. Ten minutes remained, and victory became a certainty with the third goal. Joe Ackroyd found Lucas Odunston’s overlapping run. The full back squared the ball to Johnson in the penalty box, who flicked to Longbottom. The goalmouth stared out before him, but the winger fired home from close range for his brace.

1874 Northwich continued to show their pluck after a resilient performance. Joel Jones’ long range effort was palmed away by Cracknell in injury time.

It was a satisfying afternoon for the Guiseley as they sealed their place in Monday’s draw for the Third Round Qualifying, in their sixth consecutive victory in all competitions, which Bower could find great joy in.

“Six wins out of six, it doesn’t get much better. The lads keep on somehow getting results and playing some really good stuff.”

Guiseley AFC 3-0 1874 Northwich | Saturday 14th September 2024 | Nethermoor

Attendance: 604

Team: 1. Joe Cracknell, 2. Lucas Odunston, 3. Ollie Brown, 4. Prince Ekpolo, 5. Lebrun Mbeka (C), 6. Jake Lawlor, 7. John Lufudu (56′ Moke), 8. Jack Emmett (87′ Bentley), 9. Gabriel Johnson (84′ Walters), 10. Joe Ackroyd and 11. Will Longbottom (90′ Sebine).

Subs: 12. George Sebine, 13. Danny King (GK), 14. Adriano Moke, 15. Freddie Westfall, 16. Sam Bentley and 17. Sam Walters.

Next Up:

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