Guiseley continued their encouraging pre-season campaign with a deserved 1-0 victory at Northern Premier East side Garforth Town, writes Edward Robertson.
It was the hosts who looked bright in the early stages of the contest. Mutty Al-Jahadhmy’s mazy run released a Trialist. Keen to impress, the forward’s effort was fired straight into the hands of Jack Hall.
The Miners came close to scoring again thanks to a dangerous throw from ex Lion Jordan Emery. The ball fell into the path of Luke Aldrich, whose effort was coolly gathered by Hall.
The Lions broke the deadlock with the game thirty minutes old. Some neat interplay between Aaron Martin and Lebrun Mbeka picked out Amir Berchil on the byline. His cross was collected by Charlie Staniland. The versatile midfielder’s finish curled past the outstretched legs of the Garforth defenders, ricocheted off the post, and spun into the bottom right corner.
Moments later, the visitors challenged the Garforth goal again. A foul on Paul Iggulden gave the Lions a free kick on the edge of the box. Mbeka’s clever dummy foxed the keeper, but his effort shaved the crossbar.
With the game ticking on to half time, the hosts squandered a huge opportunity to level matters. Al-Jahadhmy tumbled to the floor in the Lions’ penalty box, forcing the referee to blow the whistle and motion towards the spot. Aldrich stepped up, but his effort slammed against the crossbar, much to the travelling fans’ relief.
It was Guiseley who began the second half strongly. Substitute Cam Wilson picked out Ollie Brown on the right hand side. The defender cut inside skilfully and fired towards goal, but his effort reverberated against the crossbar.
Ten minutes later, Brown was showing attacking initiative again. His effort rebounded into the path of Berchil whose shot arrowed wide of the post.
The Lions continued to dominate the game throughout the second period. As the game reached its latter stages, Wilson tucked inside and fired towards goal, but his shot was watched carefully by goalkeeper Harry Flatters.
Garforth had a last minute chance to level the game. A corner picked out Niall Tisley, but his effort was blocked by a scramble of Guiseley bodies and cleared off the line.
With the referee calling time on the contest moments later, it was another impressive performance from the Lions. Ian Richards was pleased with the test the game offered to his players as they continue to prepare for the season beginning on 8th August.
“It was everything you want from a pre season game. Tonight was a competitive game so its really pleasing to keep a clean sheet and continue to make winning a habit. They’re the type of standards we want to set for the new season.”
Garforth Town 0-1 Guiseley | Tuesday 21st July 2026 | Wheatley Park
Attendance: 302
Team: 1. Jack Hall (68′ Roxburgh), 2. Ollie Brown, 3. Kyle White (22′ Boyle), 4. Lebrun Mbeka (C), 5. Elliot Owen (68′ Trialist), 6. Paul Iggulden, 7. Charlie Staniland, 8. Adam Lund, 9. Aaron Martin (68′ Thewlis), 10. Amir Berchil and 11. Jay Rollins (46′ Wilson).
Subs: 12. Derren Boyle, 13. Michael Roxburgh (GK), 14. Cam Wilson, 15. Jordan Thewlis and 16. A Trialist.
