Guiseley spurned a host of opportunities and had to settle for a goaless draw against Bradford Park Avenue in this afternoons West Yorkshire derby at Horsafall. Read how they grabbed a precious point in our our match report sponsored by BuildADrive.com.
This match report could in effect write itself regarding a game that was a replica of the Lions season with another gutsy performance, several good openings created but once again the ball in the back of the net proved elusive.
And whilst Guiseley are only three points adrift of AFC Telford in 21st place, with only four games remaining the situation is looking ominous and nothing short of a win against Curzon Ashton at Nethermoor on Saturday will keep the Lions faint hopes of avoiding the drop alive.
So, to the game itself where Thierry Latty-Fairweather and Kaine Felix returned to the starting eleven and Ethan Cartwright made his full Lions debut, Andy Kellett was on the bench
Guiseley had the Lions share (pun intended!) of possession in the first half against an Avenue side that were already safe but looking strangely lethargic.
They were however the first to threaten with a free kick twenty five yards out that George Cantrill cleared and five minutes later it was John Johnston’s turn to whip a free kick just wide of the upright.
A series of corners for the visistors found yellow shirts in the opposition penalty area but when the ball fell to Regan Hutchinson his effort was blocked by a combination of goalkeeper George Sykes-Kenworthy and full back Mark Ross, the loose ball dropped for Kaine Felix who’s effort was then blocked by Lucas Odunston and behind for yet another corner.
This time it was Jason Sraha who got his head on it which Sykes-Kenworthy responded to by tipping it over before the referee blew for an infringement.
Johnson then hit a free kick just wide as the visitors continued to apply the pressure but the goal just wouldn’t come.
Avenue threatened on several occassions but the Guiseley defence held firm going into the break.
The home side started strongly on the restart but without ever threatening to score and the Lions gradually regained their composure but as the game reached the sixty minute mark three passages of play summed up the Lions predicament.
First Josh Stones beat two opponents and found space for himself twelve yards out but instead of shooting he chose to pass to Johnston who was then flagged for offside. Two minutes later and the same happened again but this time the roles were reversed with Stones in an offside position. Shortly after Johnston’s shot from ten yards out was blocked by two defenders when he had Stones free a couple of yards to his right!
The lively Johnston then got on the end of a long throw but his low shot skidded just wide.
From the second of two corners Hutchinson found the head of Hamza Bencherif but his effort came to nothing.
Brad Docherty and Lewis Knight both had good chances to wrap it up for the Avenue but the first effort was over the bar from close in and the second effort was blasted into the side netting.
The impressive Johnston was replaced by Dom Tear with two minutes left but to no avail as despite four minutes of added time neither side could find the winner and so it finished goalless.
Att: 967
Team: 1. Owen Mason, 2. Regan Hutchinson, 3. Thierry Latty-Fairweather, 4. George Cantrill, 5. Hamza Bencherif (C), 6. Jason Sraha, 7. Kaine Felix, 8. Ethan Cartwright, 9. Josh Stones, 10. John Johnston (89′ Tear) and 11. Lebrun Mbeka.
Subs: 12. Andy Hollins, 13. Scott Moloney (GK), 14. Prince Ekpolo, 16. Dom Tear and 18. Andy Kellett.
