Tongue Takes Charge In Town Friendly Behind Closed Doors

Liam Tongue took charge of the Lions for the first time in a goalless behind closed doors friendly against Harrogate Town at Nethermoor on Tuesday night writes Dave Robertson. 

With Town without a midweek fixture and in need of giving some of their players game time, the game was arranged as an excellent opportunity for the caretaker boss to run the rule over several players, as well as get some much-needed minutes for players recovering from injury.  Harrogate also saw a change on the bench, being led for the night by club captain Josh Falkingham.

The game itself was a competitive affair, as both sets of players took advantage of the opportunity to press their claims for a starting place to their respective managers. Town started well and created the first opportunity early on when a Horbury’s cross was met by Dooley’s firm downward header that Battersby did well to save with his legs.  

Guiseley rallied and almost took the lead when Denton cushioned a header into the path of Chippendale, who shrugged off a challenge to go one on one with the Town keeper. Lewis Thomas did well to come out quickly to smother the effort. 

There was no lack of effort on both sides, but a scarcity of clear-cut chances. As the higher ranked side Town tended to dominate possession but the back four of Guiseley worked hard to deny them. 

The second half saw changes for both sides, most notably the returns of Gabriel Johnson and Joe Stacey to the Lions side, both being eased back into action after injury. There was a switch to a back three. Town continued to press and soon Matty Daly was slid through, but his effort from an acute angle could only find the side netting. 

Stacey caused the visitors problems down the left and his low cross narrowly evaded an onrushing Johnson. Tom Denton stretched to reach it at the far post but could not guide his effort goalward as the deadlock persisted. 

Town’s most dangerous effort of the half came around the hour mark, when a cross from Foulds was intercepted by a defender, but the resulting clearance ricocheted into the path of Matty Daly. His effort cannoned off the defender and somehow stayed out. 

Chances for both sides dried up as the game went on, and changes were made in abundance. Town took the opportunity to give their youngsters some game time, while there were cameo appearances for Miguel Valsau and Courtney Meppen-Walters for Guiseley. 

It was a good performance in front of the new management team though, and an important opportunity for players to impress ahead of this weekend’s return to league action. 

Guiseley 0-0 Harrogate Town | Tuesday 19th September 2023 | Nethermoor

Town starting XI; Lewis Thomas, Toby Sims, Will Smith, Warren Burrell, Matthew Foulds, Dean Cornelius, George Horbury, Stephen Dooley, James Daly, Jeremy Sivi, Jack Muldoon.

Guiseley starting XI; Ollie Battersby, Ollie Brown, Reece Kendall, Prince Ekpolo, Aiden Walker, Josh Ashman, Danny Devine, Leigh Whelan, Tom Denton, Callum Chippendale, Kallan Murphy. 

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