On Sunday Guiseley Vixens produced their best form of the season so far to deservedly beat league leaders Liverpool Feds 5-3 in a high quality game full of high quality goals.
Liverpool Feds probably shaded the opening period of the game with neat, incisive passing but Guiseley defended well as a team and prevented Liverpool from creating any real goal-scoring chances.
Guiseley gradually worked their way into the game and took the lead after 20 minutes when a cross-field pass from Kerrie Zserdicky was set back by Louise Stringer and Tanya Rich produced a composed side-foot finish into the corner of the goal from just outside the penalty area.
Liverpool Feds equalised on 32 minutes with an equally unstoppable drive from outside the penalty area and half-time arrived with the scores level at 1-1.
In the second half it was clear that neither side was prepared to settle for a draw and Liverpool Feds took a 2-1 lead on 50 minutes with a neat finish.
This goal had the effect of galvanising Guiseley and following a succession of corners the ball fell to Tanya Rich and from 25 yards she drilled the ball into the top corner of the goal to equalise.
Guiseley continued to press and took the lead with a goal of stunning quality from Aimi Beresford who controlled a driven pass with one touch and her second touch again found the top corner of the goal from 25 yards.
Guiseley refused to sit back and increased their lead when Tanya Rich was able to maintain her footing despite being clearly fouled inside the penalty area and completed her hat-trick from a narrow angle.
Liverpool Feds showed their quality and determination and Guiseley goalkeeper Danni Maslin made several good saves together with Lou Hunt making a remarkable goal line clearance to maintain the 2 goal advantage.
Eventually pressure told when Danni Maslin made a full stretch save to tip a goal bound shot onto the goalpost but the rebound struck the unfortunate Lou Hunt to reduce the arrears.
Even after this setback Guiseley continued to press forward whenever possible and scored the final goal of the game when another cross from Kerrie Zserdicky found the unmarked Becky Kendell who scored without undue fuss to give a final score of Guiseley Vixens 5 – 3 Liverpool Feds.
This was an extremely high quality game between 2 well matched teams who meet again in January.
Team: D Maslin, L Hunt, K Zserdicky, K Welham, S Hobson, E Maguire, J Whitford-Stark (S Legge), A Beresford, L Stringer, B Kendell, T RichHulme. Unused substitutes L Whitton, N Bates, B Smith
On Sunday 16 November Guiseley visit Bradford City in The County Cup. Bradford compete in the league above Guiseley and will be firm favourites. The game will be played at Thackley FC (KO 13.00).
