Guiseley kicked off a new era with goals from Dom Tear and James Gale putting paid to Kettering’s play-off ambitions to get Steve Kittrick’s second spell in charge of to a winning start. Read how they did it in read our match report sponsored by BuildADrive.com.
The victory is Guiseley’s first win in seven games and their first away from home since the 1-0 win at Telford on 21st December 2021.
Kittrick’s first team selection saw the return of Andy Hollins, Dom Tear and Josh Stones to the starting eleven with Thierry Latty-Fairweather and James Gale dropping to the bench while Kaine Felix missed out.
Playing the ball forward at every opportunity Guiseley created a couple of early opportunities with Dom Tear just short of Prince Ekpolo’s cross and Jason Sraha’s header saved by Jackson Smith.
Regan Hutchinson fired a powerful shot over Smith’s bar before his massive clearance was taken down by Josh Stones who pivoted to lose his marker and cross for Tear to steam in and put the Lions ahead on 16 minutes.
Smith was in action again just after the half hour to deny John Johnston and Hamza Bencherif as the visitors sought a second goal.
For the home side George Cooper had a good chance after just five minutes but his header was over the bar but he then went close with five minutes of the first half remaining. Callum Stead went close with a superb effort from the edge of the area his shot going just wide of Owen Mason’s post.
As half-time beckoned Stones was unable to steer Lebrun Mbeka’s cross on target and Guiseley had Mason to thank as he denied Kettering an equaliser with a save at close range.
Having absorbed a substantial amount of pressure from the home side, and against the run of play, a clearance from Sraha found Johnston who advanced into the penalty area and crossed for substitute James Gale to double the visitors lead on 78 minutes.
Gale then held the ball up well and found Mbeka who was one on one with Smith, but he seemed caught in two minds and the keeper did well to stop the shot.
Despite the win, Guiseley are still bottom of the table, but are now within two points of Blyth Spartans and three behind Farsley, all three having played 36 games, with six remaining.
The Lions next face second place Gateshead at Nethermoor on Good Friday kick off 3pm, get tickets online now or at the turnstiles with cash.
Att: 741
Team: 1. Owen Mason, 2. Regan Hutchinson, 3. Jason Sraha, 4. Prince Ekpolo, 5. Hamza Bencherif (C), 6. Andy Hollins, 7. Dom Tear (71’ Gale), 8. Lebrun Mbeka, 9. Josh Stones (90’ Latty-Fairweather), 10. John Johnston and 11. George Cantrill.
Subs: 12. Adam Haw, 13. Scott Moloney (GK), 15. Thierry Latty-Fairweather, 16. James Gale and 17. Ollie Brown.
