The Lions fell to a 1-0 defeat at Nethermoor Park against bottom club Belper Town. The loss all but mathematically ended Guiseley’s slim play-off hopes, writes Edward Robertson.
Manager Paul Phillips was left to contemplate a defeat that was largely due to Lady Luck not being on the Lions’ side.
“I thought it was the best we’ve played in a couple of weeks.” The Guiseley boss said after the match.
“We’ve hit the bar, the post, the goalkeeper’s made two worldie saves as well. I’m proud of the lads, it’s been a very testing week.
Phillips had a selection headache as the Lions were without several players. The absentees included goalkeeper Cam Mason, who suffered a hand injury at Warrington last week, and defender Jameel Ible who was unavailable due to being on international duty. This meant that loanees Harrison Nejman and Ethan Kachosa and dual registered Morgan Bacon, who were all added to the squad on deadline day, made their debuts.
It was the visitors who were testing the Lions from the off. James Oliver’s cross was misjudged by the Lions defence and fell to Ben Rhodes. The former Worksop man could only fire over the bar.
It was Guiseley’s turn to attack ten minutes later. A well placed corner found Jake Cassidy in the penalty area. His shot was scrambled away off the goal-line by a flurry of players. Despite the appeals of players and home supporters alike, the referee and assistant adjudicated it had not crossed the line.
Cassidy continued to cause problems for the Nailers. Kallan Murphy’s cleverly placed cross once more found the frontman. Unfortunately, goalkeeper Tom Jackson produced a brilliant save to again deny the Lions.
Moments later Cassidy turned provider. His flick on sent Murphy clear through on goal only to appear to be fouled by Tom Wilson, who as the last man would have been certain to receive a red card. However, referee Givi Todua deemed that no contact had been made and waved play on.
The Lions continued to test the visitors defence, spurred on by a vociferous Nethermoor Park crowd. It was in form Benni Smales-Braithwaite next to trouble Jackson. His brilliantly struck long-range effort hit the post and bounced clear.
With seven minutes to go until half time, Murphy was fouled outside the penalty area. Smales-Braithwaite stepped up to take the free kick, and much to the Lion’s disbelief, his effort hit the crossbar.
Guiseley resumed positively after the half time break and set about the Belper defence again. Debutant midfielder Harrison Nejman’s long range shot was palmed away by Jackson, who reacted swiftly to clutch the loose ball to deny the lively Murphy.
One minute later, the Lions seemed certain to score after some fantastic build up play set Cassidy free. In a one on one with Jackson, Cassidy narrowly slid his shot wide though.
Chances continued to pass Guiseley by as shots from Leigh Whelan and Smales-Braithwaite also missed the mark.
The deadlock was finally broken against the run of play. On 65 minutes, a well taken Belper Town corner landed at the feet of the unmarked Wilson who poked the ball home to give the relegation battling Nailers a vital lead.
Given the Lions dominance prior to the goal there was confidence that Guiseley would respond positively.
However, having grabbed the lead, the visitor’s performance stepped up another level. As the second half ticked on, the Lions struggled to break down a battling Belper defence and were limited to long range efforts. One such attempt from Smales-Braithwaite drifted narrowly wide.
Yet it was the visitors who had the last chance of the game, with seven minutes to go, Oliver’s curling shot dipped just over the crossbar.
It was another tough afternoon for Guiseley at Nethermoor Park, as Belper Town inflicted the Lion’s third consecutive home loss.
For Phillips, the game proved the point that you have to take your chances in football.
“I thought we were miles the better team, they even said to me that we were. But we switch off, one moment, and they put the ball in the net.”
Guiseley 0-1 Belper Town | Saturday 25th March 2023 | Nethermoor
Attendance: 651
Team: 1. Morgan Bacon, 2. Mark Lees, 3. Ethan Kachosa, 4. Callum Chippendale, 5. Isaac Assenso (36′ Boateng), 6. Leigh Whelan (77′ Ben Woods), 7. Benni Smales-Braithwaite, 8. Harrison Nejman, 9. Jake Cassidy, 10. Kallan Murphy and 11. Courtney Meppen-Walters (C). Subs: 12. Lewis Gardner, 14. Ben Woods, 15. Kwame Boateng, 16. Oliwier Grzelak and 17. Alejandro Machado.