Guiseley fell to a narrow defeat to Ashton United at Nethermoor Park in the Lions first game since the departure of Paul Phillips and his backroom staff, writes Edward Robertson.
Interim manager Liam Tongue was proud of his players performance following a tough period for the Lions.
“The players conducted themselves well today, the lads ran themselves into the ground for the team.”
The visitors looked sharp from the start and after just five minutes a good ball down the line found Alex Byrne. Fortunately, his shot was parried away by Ollie Battersby.
Another opportunity passed Ashton United by, when a cross-field ball found Marcus Cusani. However, the forward could only fire the ball over the bar.
Guiseley’s first chance to test the Robins goal came after an impressive solo run from Kallan Murphy, but he too could only blaze his effort over the bar.
Half an hour in, the Lions troubled Ashton United goalkeeper Liam Simpson again. This time, Murphy’s effort was much closer to the mark, skimming the crossbar following some neat interplay in the middle of the park.
Arguably the best chance of the half came five minutes later at the other end of the pitch. A curling cross from Sean Newton found Cusani at the back post, but his effort was blocked by Reece Kendall in the goalmouth.
The last action of the first 45 minutes saw Guiseley search for the opener. A well placed ball was nodded on by Murphy to Tom Denton whose header skimmed the upright.
The hosts started the second half brightly. An accurate corner from Joe Stacey fell to Murphy, whose stooping header was scrambled off the line by the Robins.
However, five minutes later the course of the game changed. Referee Sam Parnaby pointed to the spot after Kendall bundled into Cusani in the box, much to the dismay of the home fans.
After a short delay, Byrne stepped up to take the penalty. The forward converted convincingly despite Battersby diving the right way.
The Lions set about the task of finding an equaliser. After some neat interplay between Prince Ekpolo and Josh Ashman, Ekpolo picked out Callum Chippendale on the edge of the penalty box. However, Chippendale’s low-driven shot bounced wide.
The visitors threatened to seal the three points as the clock ticked on into the final ten minutes. After an impressive solo run, Newton’s ball into the box flashed across the face of the Lions goal and narrowly beyond the reach of onrushing substitute Keilen Adams.
In the dying moments of the game, Guiseley had one last chance to salvage a point. A corner found Denton in the box, who headed towards goal but his effort flew over the bar.
It was a Lions performance full of endeavour, however the home side couldn’t produce the final touch to earn a point. After the game Tongue reflected on how unforgiving opponents in the Northern Premier League can be.
“It’s a game of small margins, this league can be really ruthless. We had a couple of chances and on another day, may have taken them.”
Guiseley 0-1 Ashton United | Saturday 23rd September 2023 | Nethermoor
Attendance: 599
Team: 1. Ollie Battersby, 2. Josh Ashman (88′ Burrows), 3. Joe Stacey, 4. Prince Ekpolo, 5. Aiden Walker, 6. Reece Kendall (C), 7. Danny Devine, 8. Leigh Whelan (59′ Johnson), 9. Tom Denton, 10. Callum Chippendale (84′ Valsau) and 11. Kallan Murphy.
Subs: 12. Gabriel Johnson, 13. Brad Wade, 14. Courtney Meppen-Walters, 15. Miguel Valsau and 16. Kyle Burrows.
