The Lions lost out to a superior Stockton Town side at the MAP Group UK Stadium on a clear Tuesday night, writes Adam Bridson.
The hosts were on top for the majority of the match and and scored a goal in each half to keep the three points on Teeside.
The Lions struggled to get going in the first half and it was Man of the Match Josh Scott who had the first chance six minutes in when he volleyed straight at Joe Cracknell from a narrow angle.
The home fans thought Scott had broken the deadlock six minutes later when his shot struck the side netting which was greeted by a loud cheer only to be followed with disappointment.
Amar Purewal headed wide under pressure from Ollie Brown as Mark Bower’s men created their first chance of the night through Amir Berchil’s deflected cross which was gathered by Nathan Harker.
With 26 minutes on the clock Kevin Hayes opened the scoring from the penalty spot sending Cracknell the wrong way. The referee had spotted a handball by the Lions and there were little complaints before Hayes despatched the ball.
The tricky Scott had two chances to double the lead three minutes later but he couldn’t find a way past Cracknell who pulled off an impressive double save.
The Lions were coming into the game and Taylor Bowen nearly opened the scoring after pinball in the home box but in first half injury time it was the hosts who nearly doubled their lead. Scott’s cross just needed a touch but Jake Lawlor was there to clear the ball from underneath his own crossbar.
Even deeper in injury time the Lions did nearly score through their best move of the match. Ollie Brown and Berchil combined to lay the ball off to Jay Buchan who shot goalwards from 25 yards out but Harker made a good save to parry the ball away from danger.
Bower’s men, in white shirts and navy blue shorts and socks, started the second half brightly. Connor Ferguson picked up possession in the left hand corner of the box and tested Harker who was able to palm the shot away from danger.
Purewal’s header than scraped the bar on its way over but nine minutes into the second 45 the hosts were two in front. The dangerous Scott stole possession rounded Cracknell and slotted into the empty net for a goal from nothing.
A number of changes followed for both sides but it was still the hosts who looked more likely to score, Hayes tested Cracknell with a shot from a narrow angle.
The final opportunity of the night fell to home substitute Jack Spears who fired wide after a swift counter attacking move.
The Lions are back at Nethermoor on Saturday for the first weekend home game of the month hosting Morpeth Town in a 3pm kick-off.
Stockton Town 2-0 Guiseley | Tuesday 16th September 2025 | MAP Group UK Stadium
Attendance: 778
Team: 1. Joe Cracknell, 2.Ollie Brown, 3. Connor Ferguson (78′ Odunston), 4. Jay Buchan (58′ Lufudu), 5. Lebrun Mbeka, 6. Jake Lawlor, 7. Jamie Spencer, 8. Tom Senior (74′ Longbottom), 9. Taylor Bowen (78′ Thewlis), 10. Amir Berchil and 11. Joao Silva (58′ Emmett).
Subs: 12. Lucas Odunston, 14. Jack Emmett, 15. John Lufudu, 16. Jordan Thewlis and 17. Will Longbottom.
