The Lions had wasteful Lancaster finishing to thank for a point in a match the visitors dominated more as the game went on, writes Ivor Timmis.
The Lions took the field without the injured Lewis Whitham and George Smith and lined up with a back three of Jameel Ible, Courtney Meppen-Walters and Ekow Coker with Kwame Boateng and, in an unfamiliar role, Callum Chippendale as wing backs.
The first action of the match was a scything challenge on Kallan Murphy in the second minute, a forerunner of some rough treatment for the Lions’ striker throughout.
A minute later a Mark Lees shot brought a fine save from Sam Waller. The Lions looked stretched, however, and it was only wasteful Lancaster shooting and some last ditch challenges that kept the Lions’ goal intact.
Nic Evangelinos looked really lively and Niall Cowperthwaite was a dominant force in midfield throughout the match. The next chance fell to the Lions on 20 minutes: a Mark Lees free kick fell to Chippendale at close range but his shot was blocked.
Five minutes later Sam Waller fumbled a Mark Lees corner but Ekow Coker, taken by surprise, poked the ball wide of an open goal. Some brilliant footwork by Chippendale led to Murphy volleying over an Osebi Abadaki cross. Minutes later a delightful chip by Cowperthwaite set Evangelinos 1 v 1 with Cam Mason, not the first or last time this pair combined well. His first touch was brilliant, but the finish was tame and Cam Mason smothered easily.
Right on half time, Sam Bailey hit a diagonal shot from the corner of the box which went narrowly wide of the far post.
In the second half, Adam Haw replaced Coker and the Lions switched to a back four with Lees dropping in at left back, Boateng moving to an orthodox full back role, and Chippendale moving into midfield.
Only a couple of minutes into the half Charlie Bailey was put through by a cute lob but his close range shot was well kept out by Mason and Bailey blazed the rebound wide.
On the 51st minute, the Lions had what was to be their only chance of the second half: Chippendale sent in a vicious in-swinging cross which broke to Abadaki on the far post. He laid it back to Haw who stabbed the ball goalwards only to be denied by Waller’s right foot.
Alfie Moulden replaced Abadaki on 58 minutes but the Lions were unable to gain meaningful possession, while Lancaster missed a succession of chances, the main culprit being Charlie Bailey who twice dragged the ball wide of the left hand post when he had time and space on the edge of the area.
In the 71st minute, Meppen-Walters handballed on the corner of the area and Sam Bailey whipped in a free kick which looked destined for the far corner until Mason brilliantly palmed the ball away (modestly, he said after the game it was a save he should make, but it looked spectacular from my angle).
Even then the ball was turned back across the area for Mason to make another save.
Chippendale was replaced by Oliwier Grzelak on 77 minutes. Lancaster continued to look dangerous and the final whistle came as something of a relief, with a point the most the Lions deserved even though they needed three.
Paul Phillips was in no mood to pull his punches after the match, describing the performance as ‘unacceptable’ and apologising to the fans for such a disappointing spectacle. In the search for positives, that is three consecutive clean sheets, and if we beat Radcliffe, the point might not seem too bad. Good to see a senior debut for young academy graduate Oliwier Grzelak too.
Guiseley 0-0 Lancaster City | Tuesday 21st February 2023 | Nethermoor
Attendance: 409
Team: 1. Cam Mason, 2. Kwame Boateng, 3. Mark Lees, 4. Ross Daly, 5. Jameel Ible, 6. Ekow Coker (46′ Haw), 7. Callum Chippendale (78′ Grzelak), 8. Leigh Whelan, 9. Kallan Murphy, 10. Osebi Abadaki (55′ Moulden) and 11. Courtney Mappen-Walters.
Subs: 13. Hagie Damba (GK), 14. Adam Haw, 15. Alfie Moulden, 16. Oliwier Grzelak and 17. Spencer Harris.