Harrogate Railway 0-5 Guiseley AFC
Guiseley got their first win of pre-season with a rampant 5-0 victory over Harrogate Railway. Goals from Michael Burns, Lee Ellington, James Booker, Danny Forrest and Simon Ainge ensured an emphatic victory in a confident team display and a marked improvement from Saturday.
Guiseley started the match in a fairly settled manner with some good linking up and support in midfield mainly having half chances in the opening twenty minutes. Harrogate then started to get into their stride, but it was their corner that led to the first Guiseley goal. From Drench’s catch, Guiseley broke away from the corner and after some good passing, Burns was put through on goal and finished well to put them in front. Harrogate nearly equalised when Steve Palfrey was put through on goal and Steve Drench made a great save at full stretch. Dave Merris nearly doubled the scores slicing a volley just wide of the post from a tight angle.
The visitors started the second-half with a high pressing tempo in search of that second goal. However, they nearly got caught on the break when Andy Liddell hit the outside of Drench’s far post. Guiseley kept pressing and got their second goal when Lee Ellington tapped in after two efforts from Gavin Rothery. It was 3-0 just minutes later when a superb Danny Forrest cross was fumbled and James Booker scored the easiest of chances at the far post with his first touch.
The Lions continued to make plenty of chances and could well have scored more. Harrogate nearly pulled one back when a low cross fell to Liddell who hit it hard and Steve Drench pulled off another sharp save. The game was then put to bed when Booker picked out Forrest who made it 4-0.
Steve Kittrick’s men were rampant and even skipper Simon Ainge got in on the act, guiding in a header from a corner to make it 5-0 and wrap the game up.
The Lions travel to Farsley on Saturday for a 3pm kick off, for what promises to be an interesting test for both sides.