August was a month of firsts for Guiseley AFC with eight points from six Vanarama National League fixtures, including our first win and goal at the top level of Non-League football.
Welling’s Park View Road was the first stop on our adventure this season, despite Tom Craddock striking the cross bar and a Gavin Rothery effort cleared off of the line the hosts secured a 1-0 win through a Sahr Kabba strike in the first half.
Zac Thompson, who had signed the day before the match, missed a glorious chance to net on his debut and Rob Atkinson couldn’t finish off a neat set-piece which had been practiced on the training ground.
We made a return to Nethermoor where Altrincham were the visitors on a summery Tuesday night, this being the first time many Lions faithful had seen their side in action at our new level.
Rob Atkinson’s bullet header to finish off a superb cross from Nicky Boshell was the only goal of the evening securing the Lions’ first win at this level.
We did have plenty of chances in the second half to extend our lead but failed to convert and the visitors were unable to find an equaliser.
Kidderminster Harriers were next up at Nethermoor, the visitors had yet to secure their first win this season and put in a solid display.
In a tight match with both sides missing the few chances they created, the winner came in the 85th minute when Ryan Toulson’s pinpoint cross was converted by Adam Boyes to secure another big three points.
Another midweek game awaited the Lions, this time a trip to Holker Street where Barrow were looking for their first win of the campaign.
They had a good start to the game when Jason Walker scored early on in the first half, although in the first minute of stoppage time at the end of the half Nicky Boshell levelled the scores with a free kick from 25 yards sailing straight into the top corner.
Tom Craddock struck the post midway through the second half and Nicky Boshell went close to getting his second goal of the evening but the points were shared denying the Lions a third win in three games.
Aldershot Town then made the trip to Nethermoor as the Shots looked for their first win this season after a tough start to their campaign.
After the Lions spurned early chances the visitors capitalised and produced a clinical display with two goals in each half and no reply from Guiseley.
The Lions looked to bounce back from this disappointment when Gateshead visited Nethermoor Park.
However after a host of missed chances the visitors scored a goal in either half leaving the unlucky Lions pointless from this fixture.
The final fixture of the month was a Bank Holiday Monday trip to Chester where the Lions were looking for a win to end the month on a high.
After a handball from Zac Thompson midway through the second half which saw the hosts score the resulting penalty.
We fought back and managed to find an equaliser when Adam Boyes converted to secure our second away draw of the season.
However it could have been different had Rob Atkinson’s goal not been ruled out for offside, Jon Worsnop also made a good save from Craddock’s drive.
