After a bitterly disappointing late defeat to FC United of Manchester on Tuesday, in a game the Lions had dominated, an ultimately comfortable 4-0 win against Stafford was the perfect tonic, writes Ivor Timmis.
There was nothing in the first half, however, to suggest the convincing scoreline that was to come. I suggested to Ross Daly that the first half was between scrappy and ugly and he opted for ‘ugly’.
Lewis Whitham had three decent efforts from the edge of the box, but none troubled keeper Cameron Belford.
The best chance fell to Jameel Ible who headed an outswinging George Smith corner wide.
In the 34th minute, the immaculate Ible made a fantastic last ditch tackle after Smith had headed a long ball across his own box. It was celebrated like a goal, as indeed was right.
The only other highlight was a magnificent Courtney Meppen-Walters cross with the outside of his left boot.
Paul Phillips confirmed after the match that he had been unhappy with the first half performance and had urged the players to up the ante. Adam Haw came on at half time to replace Osabi Abadaki.
Phillips’ team talk was to bear fruit quite soon. Callum Chippendale, who excelled in the second half, hit the post in the 53rd minute and three minutes later he played a delightful ball to Whitham on the right corner of the area who cleverly cut inside and hit an unstoppable left foot shot into the far top corner, demonstrating the value of a player who can do something special in a tight game.
Just four minutes later, the tireless Kallan Murphy, who drew praise from Phillips for his contribution to the team over a number of games, won a penalty. After a long delay for an injury to a Stafford defender, Meppen-Walters stepped forward to take the penalty as Lewis Whitham was carrying a knock. With that brilliant left foot his strike kissed the post on its way in.
On the 84th minute Whitham once again cut inside and hit a strong left shot which hit the post allowing Haw to tuck away the rebound very neatly with his left foot.
After going behind, Stafford had offered little but Tom Tonks’ huge long throws, defended very ably by Ible and Meppen-Walters.
The icing on the cake was an 89th minute goal for Ible, who volleyed home a deflected Smith corner for his second goal in three games.
Guiseley 4-0 Stafford Rangers | Saturday 11th February 2023 | Nethermoor
Attendance: 616
Team: 1. Cam Mason, 2. Kwame Boateng, 3. George Smith (C), 4. Ross Daly, 5. Jameel Ible, 6. Leigh Whelan, 7. Lewis Whitham (87′ Smeltz), 8. Callum Chippendale, 9. Kallan Murphy (87′ Moulden), 10. Osebi Abdaki (46′ Haw) and 11. Courtney Meppen-Walters.
Subs: 12. Ekow Coker, 14. Shane Smeltz, 15. Adam Haw, 16. Alfie Moulden and 17. Spencer Harris.
