Guiseley’s U-18 Academy squad swept aside the challenge of a spirited Brighouse Town to make further progress in the FA Youth Cup, writes Rachel O’Connor.
Under the floodlights at Nethermoor on Thursday night Dave Currie’s Young Lions roared to a 7-1 win with a performance full of running, great skill and and determination.
The side showed one change from their 7-0 win in the last round at Yorkshire Amateur with right-back Yasin Hayes sustaining a shoulder injury in that game which is expected to keep him out of action for several weeks.
After an earlier sighting of goal with his shot just going wide George Sebine opened the scoring in the 10th minute and Max Dickinson quickly added a second.
The lead was almost extended to three goals when Zac Rushworth curled his shot just over the bar.
Sebine put an effort well over the bar as Guiseley pegged back their opponents. The big striker was then fouled and from the resulting Jack Lorriman free-kick the ball came to skipper Freddie Westfall in the six yard box and he was disappointed to see the assistant referee rule his effort off-side.
A move involving Marley Spence and Lorriman saw Sebine make it 3-0 in the 28th minute.
Brighouse put a shot well wide before Lorriman netted a fourth for Guiseley in the 37th minute. The winger picked the ball up out wide and moved at pace before stroking the ball home.
Brighouse pulled a goal back before the break with Oliver Gill scoring from long range to register the first FA Youth Cup goal against Guiseley in three games. After the ball hit the net the referee immediately blew the whistle to signify half-time.
Guiseley took a 4-1 lead into the second-half but it was not long before Spence, who had broken up play well with a series of good tackles, had to leave the field injured to be replaced by Mason Donaldson.
Guiseley were awarded another free-kick and from the resulting play Dickinson bagged his second goal making it 5-1 in the 56th minute.
The always threatening Sebine went close with a header before Guiseley made a double substitution in the 61st minute.
Rushworth and Lorriman were replaced by Mackenzie Aylward and Emre Can.
Sebine, who was forever making good runs and finding space, fired a shot into the arms of the ‘keeper before completing his second FA Youth Cup hat-trick of the season with a 64th minute penalty.
This lead was extended to 7-1 with a 65th minute goal from Lucas Alexander.
Guiseley had further chances to extend their lead with Sebine putting Alexander in only for the ‘keeper to make a good save.
Guiseley were coasting now and in the 70th minute substitute ‘keeper Ollie Jacques was given a run in goal in place of Harry Churnin-Ritchie.
Jacques had a let off when Brighouse hit the post and he was able to gather the ball. He then made a good save from Brighouse’s Symeon Corion.
Can missed a glorious chance as he fired wide and Westfall saw his header taken by the ‘keeper as Guiseley continued to threaten to the end of a tie they had dominated.
Guiseley: Harry Churnin-Ritchie (Ollie Jacques 70); Lawrence Ford, Freddie Westfall, Joe Taylor, Robbie Murray; Jack Lorriman (Emre Can 61), Marley Spence (Mason Donaldson 53), Max Dickinson, Lucas Alexander; George Sebine, Zac Rushworth (Mackenzie Aylward 61).
The Young Lions will host York City in the second round qualifying stage during the week commencing 30th September.
