Joao Silva’s sensational strike helped Guiseley to a 2-0 victory over Hyde United, their first at Ewen Fields since 2012, writes David Bridson.

The striker’s corking curler flew past sprawling home goalkeeper Yusuf Mersin in just the seventh minute for his first Lions goal.

John Lufudu’s dazzling run, rounding of Mersin and composed finish doubled the Lions’ lead six minutes later.

Guiseley began the game sprightly, looking to put Saturday’s narrow home defeat to Rushall Olympic behind them.

Silva’s strike left Mersin stranded as the bottom left corner succumbed to his power and accuracy.

Harrison Hopper saw an attempt blocked before a weaker effort was saved a minute prior to Lufudu’s calm finish.

Amir Berchil, a constant nuisance to the United defence, had a shot saved on the quarter hour mark.

Mersin needed to be on high alert to catch another Berchil strike four minutes later.

A shell-shocked Hyde sought to find their way back into the game as Joe Cracknell stopped a dangerous cross at his near post.

Berchil raced past his marker in the 23rd minute but the ball slipped out of play.

Shakeel Jones-Griffiths’ crunching challenge on Silva in the 28th minute left the attacker needing treatment.

The same player should have trebled Guiseley’s lead on 31 minutes when unmarked on the six-yard line following neat interaction between Connor Ferguson and Berchil.

Former Lion Tom Pratt made a superb recovery tackle in the 38th minute to stop Berchil causing more havoc in the Hyde box.

Taylor Dyson hit a free kick straight at Cracknell three minutes prior to half time before player-of-the-match candidate Berchil shot narrowly wide.

It was clear the rattled home side had been given a stern talking-to at half-time as they went straight on the attack in the second-half.

Jordan Scanlon’s effort soared over the bar in the 49th minute as the home side made their bid to get back into the game.

Antonie Makoli’s shot was blocked in the 52nd minute before Festus Arthur was booked for a stinging tackle on Berchil.

Ferguson’s scintillating free kick required a high leap from a busy Mersin to tip the ball over in the 55th minute.

Captain Lebrun Mbeka made a decent block to prevent a Hyde cross nine minutes later.

Despite facing a Hyde storm Guiseley weren’t settling for just two goals. Mersin had to be quick to react to a precise Bercil cross left to him by a nervous Hyde defender.

Jones-Griffiths’ threatening cross sizzled across the face of the goal in the 79th minute.

Substitute Jamie Spencer, who earlier replaced Jay Buchan, hit straight at Mersin in the 83th minute.

Lufudu was periously close to doubling his tally for the evening a minute from time but his shot only just evaded the bar.

The tricky winger had won the free-kick that resulted in the opportunity from the canny Feeguson’s lay-off.

Spencer’s thunderous effort produced a fabulous save from Mersin in added-time.

The victory sees Guiseley move to eighth in the Pitching In Northern Premier League Premier Division table.

The Lions are next in action away at FC United of Manchester on Satuday 23rd August with a 3pm kick-off.

Hyde United 0-2 Guiseley | Tuesday 19th August 2025 | Nethermoor

Attendance: 411

Team: 1. Joe Cracknell, 2.Ollie Brown, 3. Connor Ferguson, 4. Jay Buchan (74′ Spencer), 5. Lebrun Mbeka, 6. Jake Lawlor, 7. John Lufudu, 8. Harrison Hopper (90′ Bentley), 9. Taylor Bowen (79′ Knight), 10. Amir Berchil and 11. Joao Silva.

Subs: 13. Danny King (GK), 14. Jamie Spencer, 15. Sam Bentley and 16. Lewis Knight.