The Lions ran out deserved 3-1 winners against a determined Belper team managed by Steve Kittrick and including former Lions loanee, Jacob Grattan writes Ivor Timmis.
For the second game running the Lions started at a gallop and netted after just 56 seconds, Nicky Walker weaving inside past three defenders and finishing emphatically with a left foot shot from inside the area.
Soon after a short corner led to three Guiseley shots being blocked. They weren’t having it their own way though with Belper missing a free header from 7 yards out.
Mohammad Qasim played a low cross behind everyone and Walker headed straight at the keeper from close range after an enticing cross from the lively Callum Chippendale.
Belper looked dangerous on the break with the tricky Charlie Wakefield a constant threat.
On 30 minutes, Joe Ackroyd was bundled over in the box and Chippendale calmly knocked home the resulting penalty down the middle on his debut to double his side’s advantage.
Belper exerted a spell of strong pressure and it was not a great surprise when Wakefield cut inside and placed a left foot shot inside the post via a couple of deflections.
The Lions had Danny Ellis to thank for a brilliant block at point blank range before Kwame Boateng received a harsh yellow for delaying a throw and Chippendale a more understandable one for a robust challenge. Belper had a penalty shout turned down as Wakefield took on Jordan Emery.
Just before half time, Guiseley made a tactical switch in a bid to deal with the dangerous Wakefield. Ethen Vaughan came on for Emery and Boateng switched to left back.
The second half was scrappier as Belper went more direct, but the Lions soon added a third on the break.
Ackroyd made a strong run forward and the ball reached Qasim who hit a left foot shot on the turn into the roof of the net.
Luke Dean replaced Ackroyd on 60 minutes and soon picked up a yellow card as the Lions dug in.
Belper’s main threat was from set pieces but the Guiseley defence stood strong.
Cassidy went down injured on 70 minutes and was replaced by Adam Haw, who soon played an inviting low cross for Qasim who hesitated too long on the ball.
The Lions saw out the rest of the game comfortably and looked threatening on the break.
They go into Tuesday’s game against FC United on the back of a four game unbeaten run (excluding WRCC). With strong players to come back into the fold, the outlook is promising.
Belper Town 1-3 Guiseley | Saturday 15th October 2022 | Raygar Stadium
Attendance: 562
Team: 1. Kyle Trenerry, 2. Kwame Boateng, 3. Jordan Emery (43′ Vaughan), 4. Ross Daly, 5. Danny Ellis, 6. Lebrun Mbeka, 7. Mohammad Qasim, 8. Callum Chippendale, 9. Jake Cassidy (C) (69′ Haw), 10. Joe Ackroyd (63′ Dean) and 11. Nicky Walker.
Subs: 12. Adam Haw, 14. Luke Dean, 15. Donald Chimalilo, 16. Charlie Wood and 17. Ethen Vaughan.
Images from Belper here together with some ground photos
