Warren Peyton’s 30 yard screamer proved to be the difference between these two well matched teams and gives Guiseley the slenderest of advantages going into Sunday’s second leg of the Blue Square North Semi-Final.
The Lions were down to the bare bones as leading scorer James Walshaw pulled out due to illness and influential midfielder Danny Boshell also ruled himself out earlier to day as a result of personal issues. This paved the way for Peyton and Joe O’Neill to return to first team action, in O’Neill’s case this was his first game since sustaining a nasty looking injury in the West Riding Count Cup triumph at Valley Parade.
In a cautious first half both sides created few genuine openings with Jamie Yates firing one over Steven Drench’s bar early on. In reply Darryn Stamp got on the end of Gavin Rothery’s free kick but his header was straight at Paul Bastock. Peyton’ sweet left foot curler the bounced off the bar with Bastock beaten and Drench pulled off a magnificent sop to deny Danny Sleath.
Joe Spivack replaced the out of sorts O’Niell on the resumption as the pace of the game was upped by both sides and Stamp’s header across the six yard box just evaded Rothery whilst Drench was alert again to push Spencer Weir-Daley’s effort round the post.
As the home took the game by the scruff of the neck for the last thirty minutes Bastock came to his sides rescue on two occasions. First he timed his challenge to perfection as Simon Baldry sought an opening and then pushed Luke Sharry’s goal bound drive round the post.
Not to be denied however, the Lions were awarded a free kick 30 yards out with fifteen minutes remaining and Peyton stepped up to deliver a rising left foot missile past Bastock and into the top corner. The Lions created a trio of half chances after this playing some of their trademark flowing football that had Boston on the backfoot.
Given that both Walshaw and Boshell might be available it all adds up to an interesting second leg at Boston on Sunday which will decide who plays the winner of the other semi-final where Nuneaton drew one all with AFC Telford United, with United only getting their equaliser in the very last minute.
Entertainment value: ****
Star man: Darryn Stamp (Guiseley)
Referee: Andy Newell
Attendance: 1002
H/T 0-0
Scorers – Guiseley: Peyton 75
Teams – Guiseley: Drench, Toulson, Merris, Peyton, Ellis, Ainge, O’Niell (Spivak 45), Baldry, Stamp, Rothery, Sharry (Fitzgerald ). Unused subs: Holland, McEneaney, Coates
Boston United: Bastock, Clarke, Jellyman, Church, Canoville, Austin (Murphy 24), Semple, Sleath, Boyes, Weir-Daley (Lee 84), Yates, Unused subs: Stone, Frost, Cullingworth
