Guiseley fell to defeat to league champions Macclesfield on a sunny spring day at Nethermoor. The result ended the Lions eight game unbeaten run, writes Edward Robertson.
Manager Mark Bower was aware of his team’s shortcomings against the Silkmen. “I think we tried to play a little on the ball today for too long, and Macclesfield pressed well. We should have tried to spin in behind a little bit more and win a little more territory.”
The visitors’ energy became apparent from the first minute. Luke Duffy’s surge past the host’s back line saw him clear on goal, only for the imposing frame of Joe Cracknell to shepherd him away from goal.
However, only five minutes later, Macclesfield took the lead. A defensive mishap saw Neil Kengni race towards goal, and poke the ball past Cracknell, much to the disappointment of the home fans, who had turned up in number.
With the game fifteen minutes old, Guiseley had a chance to equalise. Jamie Spencer’s battling run saw him pick out Ollie Brown. The defender’s effort looped over the crossbar.
Another swiftly executed counter attack doubled the Lions’s woes ten minutes before half time. Kengni’s turn of pace run of saw him speed through on goal. Despite Prince Ekpolo’s last ditch challenge, Kengni managed to pick up the pieces and prod the ball past Cracknell.
The second half was a quieter affair. Guiseley grew into the game against an increasingly experimental Macclesfield side. The visitors made five substitutions simultaneously with half an hour remaining.
With ten minutes left, substitute Gabriel Johnson caused some problems for the Silkmen. A skilful ball by Joe Ackroyd picked out the forward, whose arrowed shot was steered just wide of the post.
It was Macclesfield who drew the final blow late on in the game. A clever run from Paul Dawson allowed for a low cross into the feet of Diego de Girolamo. The substitute nodded home from short range for the visitors’ third.
It was a tough afternoon for the Lions against an undoubtedly strong Macclesfield side, who have amassed 100 points with three games remaining. Guiseley next travel to another side whose fate is decided, relegated Blyth Spartans, next Saturday as the race to climb the Play off places continues.
The Lions remained firmly on the path to the playoffs however need to finish as high as possible in order to secure a home tie.
“We need to get a couple of wins between now and the end of the season, build some momentum and try to get ourselves as high as we can in that table. We just have to learn our lessons from today, and move on.”
Guiseley AFC 0-3 Macclesfield | Saturday 12th April 2025 | Nethermoor Park
Attendance: 1171
Team: 1. Joe Cracknell, 2. Ollie Brown, 3. Jameel Ible (C), 4. Prince Ekpolo, 5. Lebrun Mbeka, 6. Jake Lawlor, 7. John Lufudu, 8. Adriano Moke (66′ Ackroyd), 9. Lewis Whitham (66′ Johnson), 10. Jamie Spencer and 11. Will Longbottom.
Subs: 12. Lucas Odunston, 13. Danny King (GK), 14. Joe Ackroyd, 15. Sam Bentley and 16. Gabriel Johnson.
