On Sunday Guiseley AFC Vixens travelled to league leaders Liverpool Feds and came away with a 1-1 draw. This would generally be considered to be a good result but Guiseley knew that nothing short of maximum points would put the ultimate prize of the title and associated promotion into their own control.
The game started in heavy rain and gale force wind which both teams struggled to deal with.
In truth Liverpool probably made the better start but neither side was able to create any clear chances in a very intense struggle.
Halftime came without any goals but at least the atrocious weather conditions started to ease.
Guiseley started to take control of the game and after 60 minutes substitute Becky Kendell met a cross from Tanya Rich on the half volley and gave the Liverpool goalkeeper no chance with the finish to give Guiseley a precious 1-0 lead.
To their credit Liverpool Feds responded strongly and for the only time in the entire game forward Levi Wensley found space in the Guiseley penalty area and converted a cross to equalise.
Knowing that only a victory would suffice Guiseley threw everything at Liverpool Feds in the last 15 minutes in an attempt to force the win.
Several half chances were created but Guiseley were unable to convert any into what would have been an invaluable goal.
In the last minute of normal time substitute Nadine Bates met a Tanya Rich corner with a bullet header but Liverpool goalkeeper Danielle Hill made a tremendous save to divert the ball onto the crossbar and in the ensuing goalmouth scramble the referee awarded a free kick to Liverpool and the danger was averted.
Guiseley’s first draw of the season means that winning the title is not under Guiseley’s control. Guiseley need to take maximum points from their remaining 2 games which both take place before Liverpool’s last game in which they themselves would need to take maximum points from a difficult fixture against third placed Leeds Ladies
Team: D Maslin, L Hunt (N Bates), L Stringer (M Walsh), C Blythe, K Welham, K Zserdicky, S James, A Beresford, B Ross, T Rich, C Hulme (B Kendell). Unused substitutes E White, N Hamilton
