Guiseley Academy moved to the top of the National League U-19 Alliance North with a 4-1 win over visiting South Shields at Trinity University on Friday, writes Rachel O’Connor.
It was Guiseley’s second win in three days as they continued their quest to lift the title in a season that did not start too well for them but has gradually built into a title challenge with some at times exhilarating football.
Manager Dave Currie tried out a new format with Danyaal Khan dropping to the bench and George Sebine taking the central striker role with Robbie Murray in support. A brave move with Khan his leading scorer but goals in this side have come from all quarters with defenders alone accounting for 24 while attackers Khan (16), Sebine (11) and winger Jack Mason (14) are all in double figures.
Guiseley could have won this game, played in parts in torrential rain, by a much wider margin if they had been less profligate in front of goal and if the South Shields’ ‘keeper had not had such an excellent game.
Shields fired an early shot wide after Guiseley had gone close but then left-back K’Marni Miller showed his intent with a good effort that went just wide of the far post. There were a couple more efforts from the Young Lions before their ‘keeper Callum Bradbury made a great save.
Guiseley eventually took the lead when Mason made a good run across the penalty area to the right before producing an excellent finish across goal into the far corner.
Guiseley then created a number of chances to increase the lead with Murray striking over after receiving a good through ball from Sebine; Grzelak hitting the foot of a post and Mason’s shot being pushed away for a corner. Thus the score remained 1-0 to the interval.
Guiseley must have felt that they were never going to add to the score with a couple of goalmouth scrambles simply defying physics.
Khan replaced Sebine and was soon in the action but was left to rue a big miss. Undeterred he battled on and came a real presence up front as Guiseley made efforts to cement their superiority over a battling South Shields side.
The industrious Miller started to show some of his best form and was a constant attacking threat. He fired a shot just wide before Khan was thwarted by the ‘keeper who pushed his effort away for yet another corner. Having an impressive game the ‘keeper also blocked a shot from Max Dickinson before Mason found the net again to make it 2-0.
A defensive error saw Bradbury lobbed to pull the score back to 2-1 but this setback did not hold Guiseley back and they went on to seal the win with a brace from midfielder Oliwier Grzelak.
The three points took them to the top of the table on goal difference from Farsley who have played a game more. Guiseley will be hoping to cement their position at the top with another good result on Monday when they travel to Solihull Moors.
Guiseley: Callum Bradbury; Kyle Burrows, Joe Taylor, Freddie Westfall, K’Marni Miller; Max Dickinson, Sam Walters, Oliwier Grzelak, Jack Mason; Robbie Murray, George Sebine. Subs (all used) Danyaal Khan, Marley Spence, Mason Donaldson.
