Goals in either half from forward Will Longbottom ensured Guiseley ended 52-days away from action at Nethermoor with victory over mid-table Prescot Cables, writes Scott Kelly.

The Lions returned to league action at Nethermoor for the first time since a 2-1 defeat against Worksop Town on 21st September, which also ironically was their last defeat in the league.

Emirates FA Cup exploits means that league action has been limited, but this victory extends the league unbeaten run to five matches and puts the Lions back in the play-off places with a couple of games in hand on those around them.

The game started in a cagey manner, and it was the visitors with the opening chances. Good work down the left from Jack Goodwin forced Joe Cracknell into a good save five minutes in. The first corner of the game was won by the Cables on 10 minutes and defender Nelson Digbeu got a clean head on it, but his effort couldn’t find the target.

Goodwin continued to be a nuisance, as he headed wide after a perfect Alex McNally cross 25 minutes in. He again worked well on the left a few minutes in and he found forward John Murphy, but fortunately for the Lions, he fired wide.

The Lions chances were limited but after the half hour mark, they started to find some sort of rhythm and began controlling possession. John Lufudu was to have a big impact on the game. Despite forcing goalkeeper Calvin Hare into a good save five minutes before the break with a rasping drive from the edge of the box, he would have an even bigger say on the stroke of half time when the opener arrived.

Will Longbottom will take the plaudits for the opener, but the industrious Lufudu set up his team mate brilliantly, taking on a few opponents before getting a low cross in from the right. It missed everybody and Longbottom tapped home for goal number eight of the season.

The second period began much like the first, with the visitors putting the hosts under pressure. They won successive free kicks just outside the penalty area, resulting in bookings for Lebrun Mbeka and Ollie Brown. Thankfully for the Lions, neither free kick came to any fruition.

But again, the Lions quickly gained an upper hand. After Gabriel Johnson was forced off, replaced by Jordan Thewlis. A defensive mix up in the visiting backline allowed the Lions in, but Jack Emmett to potentially capitalise, but his effort was superbly deflected for a corner.

On the 66-minute mark though, it was 2-0, and almost a carbon copy of the first goal. It was good work from Thewlis and he played Emmett in down the right. He played a great ball across the box, again which missed everybody and allowed an unmarked Longbottom to tap into an empty net at the back post. From then on, the Lions were comfortable and managed the game very well, limiting the Cables to only half chances.

The game also saw a Prescot Cables debut for former Lion Kallan Murphy, who joined hours before kick-off on a month’s loan from Marine. He did not enjoy his return to Nethermoor and was even booked for a nasty tackle on Adriano Moke.

Lewis Whitham also came off the bench on 79 minutes, replacing the leggy Lufudu. It has been over 20 months since Whitham was in action at home and he made his way onto the pitch with a huge cheer from the Nethermoor faithful.

As the game rolled into injury time, it was nearly a perfect return for Whitham, as his effort was on target but was agonisingly deflected wide.

But It wasn’t to be and the game drew to a close, with the Lions returning to the play-off places.

Guiseley AFC 2-0 Prescot Cables | Tuesday 12th November 2024 | Nethermoor

Attendance: 626

Team: 1. Joe Cracknell, 2. Ollie Brown, 3. Jameel Ible ©, 4. Prince Ekpolo, 5. Lebrun Mbeka, 6. Jake Lawlor, 7. John Lufudu (Whitham 79’), 8. Adriano Moke (Bentley 84’), 9. Gabriel Johnson (Thewlis 55’) , 10. Jack Emmett (Ackroyd 75’), 11. Will Longbottom.

Subs: 12. Joe Ackroyd, 13. Danny King (GK), 14. Jordan Thewlis, 15. Sam Bentley and 16. Lewis Whitham.

PRESCOT: 1. Calvin Hare, 2. Alex McNally, 3. Matthew Devine, 4. Nelson Digbeu (Hollett 75’), 5. James Devine (Dawson 75’), 6. Liam Goulding (Koehler 90), 7. Jack Goodwin, 8. James Foley ©, 9. John Murphy (Sambor 75’), 10. Kallan Murphy, 11. Lewis Gilboy (Carberry 62’).

Subs: 12. Liam Hollett, 14. Nathan Koehler, 15. Michael Carberry, 16. Kyle Sambor, 17. Adam Dawson.