After an encouraging opening day win, the Lions slipped to a very disappointing defeat at newly promoted Stockton, writes Ivor Timmis.
It was perhaps a sign of things to come that the players’ coach only arrived at 7pm due to heavy traffic.
Stockton dominated a scrappy start, pressing high and denying our midfield the chance to pass their way out or establish lines of communication with Jordan Thewlis and Will Longbottom up front. This midfield domination by Stockton lasted most of the first half.
There were a number of hesitant moments in the Guiseley defence which culminated in the scruffiest of opening goals. A long ball dropped on the edge of the box and with Jake Lawlor and Joe Cracknell leaving it for each other, Sweet nipped in and rolled into the empty net.
The Lions steadied the ship, but going forward only had a fine Reece Kendall header from a corner to show for their efforts.
Just before half time, disaster struck. Jameel Ible was robbed in the defensive third, and though John Lufudu appeared to have made a good covering tackle, he slipped and inadvertently put a Stockton forward through. Cracknell made a fine save but Sweet was on hand to tuck home the rebound.
The Lions came out with greater purpose in the second half, enjoying much more possession without really threatening.
There was hope that we could get back into the game until the killer blow came in the 60th minute: a set piece was part cleared but it fell to a Stockton player whose fierce volley hit Jake Lawlor’s arms. It was duly tucked away by Stephen Thompson.
It was the cue for a raft of Guiseley changes: Kendall, Longbottom and Joe Ackroyd left the field to be replaced by Adriano Moke, Gabriel Johnson and Jack Emmett.
The Lions switched to 3-5-2 with Lufudu and Lucas Odunston as wing backs.
A further change soon saw Ollie Brown replace Odunston at left wing back.
On a disappointing night, Jack Emmett’s excellent cameo was a conspicuous positive. He prompted and probed and drove at defenders and just seemed to galvanise the team. Jack was modest enough in interview afterwards to suggest that he had benefitted from Stockton hanging back, but he made impressive use of that space. He combined well with Brown on the left, one exchange leading to a fine curling shot by Emmett that was tipped over.
With five minutes left the hosts went down to 10 men after Owen Gallacher was shown a second yellow card for a late challenge on Lufudu.
In the dying minutes, Lufudu drove into the box and squared for Emmett to side foot home at the near post. It was too late, but there had at least been something of a revival in the last 15 to 20 minutes.
Stockton Town 3-1 Guiseley AFC | Wednesday 14th August 2024 | MAP Group UK Stadium
Attendance: 907
Team: 1. Joe Cracknell, 2. Lucas Odunston (77′ Brown), 3. Reece Kendall (63′ Emmett), 4. Jameel Ible (C), 5. Lebrun Mbeka, 6. Jake Lawlor, 7. John Lufudu, 8. Prince Ekpolo, 9. Jordan Thewlis, 10. Joe Ackroyd (63′ Moke) and 11. Will Longbottom (63′ Johnson).
Subs: 12. Sam Walters, 14. Ollie Brown, 15. Adriano Moke, 16. Gabriel Johnson and 17. Jack Emmett.
