Guiseley and Barrow have it all to do again a week on Tuesday following a pulsating game at Nethermoor that saw the Lions go two goals to the good, spurn the chance to seal the tie and then let Barrow back into the game.
Andy Holdsworth signalled the home side’s intentions, firing just past the post, and Nicky Boshell tried his luck with a lob from 35 yards out before Guiseley took the lead on 14 minutes courtesy of Kevin Holsgrove’s good work down the left to set up Jack Rea. When his shot was blocked, it was Wayne Brooksby who pounced on the loose ball to slot home.
Danny Boshell had a free kick palmed away by Danny Hurst, but he made no mistake on 35 minutes when a cross from the right evaded a clutch of players, leaving the Lions’ midfielder to score with a header at the far post.
In between times, the visitors’ Louis Almond had forced Steve Drench to make his first save and Danny Ellis had made a timely tackle to deny Adam Boyes, but when the ball fell to Gavin Rothery midway inside the Barrow half and he played Holsgrove through for a one-on-one with Hurst it looked all over. However, the goalkeeper caught the striker in two minds and the chance was lost.
Barrow hit back either side of the break, both goals resulting from defensive errors. First Brooksby lost the ball ad it eventually found Boyes, who drove a fierce shot into the corner. Then, three minutes after the break, Mark Bower’s attempted back-header went straight to Garry Hunter, who made no mistake to level matters.
The remaining forty minutes saw the two sides trading blows, Almond going close for Barrow whilst Holsgrove brought a good save from Hurst, Wilson had a goal disallowed for what looked like a contentious challenge on Hurst and Walshaw nearly sealed the win with his header from a Meynell cross that shaved the post with Hurst beaten. Late substitute Zack Dale was also foiled by timely punch from the visiting custodian from Walshaw’s astute cross.
Guiseley Manager Steve Kittrick was pleased to be in the Second Round draw but disappointed his side had given a two-goal lead away. “Our style of play sometimes gets the better of us. I have just told the players that on some occasions we need to just get the ball forward instead of playing it out of defence; that said, we could have been three up at half-time and the onus is now on Barrow for the replay”
Entertainment value: *****
Star Man: Ellis (Guiseley)
Teams: Guiseley: Drench, Holdsworth, Meynell, Rea, Ellis, Bower (Captain), Brooksby (Wilson, 62), D Boshell, Holsgrove (Dale, 87), N Boshell (Walshaw, 62), Rothery. Subs not used: McWilliams, Clarke, Pearson, Giles.
Barrow: Hurst, Flynn, Hessey, M Pearson (Captain), Anderson, Baker, Harvey, Hunter, Rutherford, Boyes, Almond (Rowe, 87) Subs not used: S Pearson, Skelton, Jackson, McConville.
Scorers: Guiseley – Brooksby (14), D Boshell (35): Barrow – Boyes (44), Hunter (48).
H/T 2-1
Att:1,604
Referee: S Stockbridge
