Longbottom Double Delivers Three Points On The Road

A Will Longbottom brace secured a valuable three points on the road for the Lions at a damp Greenwich Avenue, writes Colin Robertson.

Following the tough Emirates FA Cup win on Saturday, the performance doubly pleased manager Mark Bower.

“The game was quite even to be fair until the goal. To go in two nil up at the break was really pleasing. The back four did really well in the second half and Joe Cracknell had precious little to do. It was a bit of a banana skin after Saturday so to come away with the win was really pleasing”

Bower’s men started the game positively, pressing the home side early on. They almost got their reward after eight minutes when Prince Ekpolo had the first sight of goal. His effort flashed wide from the edge of the area.

Basford were a danger on the counter attack however. After 22 minutes Nelson Aideyan had the chance to strike the target from a well positioned free kick however his strike was easily stopped by Joe Cracknell.

A sharp Basford move saw Kane Richards charge towards the Guiseley goal. His drive had its sting taken out of it by the back of Jake Lawlor before being safely collected by Cracknell.

On 37 minutes Guiseley broke the deadlock. John Lufudu sprinted down the right flank before placing a deft pass into the unmarked Will Longbottom. The forward nonchalantly slipped the ball past Saul Deeney.

The home side responded positively. A series of corners were scrambled away, before the Lions pressed forward again.

On 43 minutes a Adriano Moke drive from edge of area flashed wide following a cleared corner.

Then a minute later Longbottom doubled the lead. The in-form frontman was played through by Gabriel Johnson and slotted the ball past the on rushing goalkeeper.

The two sides returned to the field in drizzly and cool conditions.

Two minutes into the second half Ekpolo warmed the hands of the home goalkeeper when he found space in the area only for Deeney to save his effort.

On the half hour mark, while Lucas Odunstun was down injured, Basford pressed and Prince Mancinelli produced a dipping drive that just went over the bar. Odunstun hobbled off the field to be replaced by Joe Ackroyd.

Basford continued to make more of the running. On 68 minutes a swift attack saw substitute Joe Uvagas race clear of the back line. Lawlor produced a superb last ditch challenge to clear.

On 79 minutes Aideyan came close with a looping overhead kick from a corner as the home side pressed.

Moments later Longbottom fed the ball through to Lufudu on the counter attack only for his effort to be blocked.

Composed play from the Lions saw Longbottom pick out Ackroyd on the edge of the six yard box. Only a last ditch block prevented a goal. From the resulting corner Ackroyd stung the goalkeepers palms.

Moments later Johnson almost capitalised on a cross into the box but Deeney scrambled after the ball to deny him.

The Lions saw out the game and held on to a consecutive clean sheet alongside the three points.

Basford United 0-2 Guiseley AFC | Tuesday 1st October 2024 | Nethermoor

Attendance: 212

Team: 1. Joe Cracknell, 2. Lucas Odunston (63′ Ackroyd), 3. Liam Ridehalgh, 4. Prince Ekpolo, 5. Lebrun Mbeka (C), 6. Jake Lawlor, 7. John Lufudu (88′ Bentley), 8. Adriano Moke, 9. Gabriel Johnson (90′ Sebine), 10. Ollie Brown and 11. Will Longbottom (90′ Afuape).

Subs: 12. Sam Bentley, 13. Danny King (GK), 14. Joe Ackroyd, 15. George Sebine and 16. Fayi Afuape.

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