Guiseley Academy beat FC Halifax Town 3-2 at Nethermoor this afternoon to continue their 100% start to the season.
The final scoreline failed to demonstrate the gulf between these two sides as Guiseley could have been in double figures if they had taken their chances. They had also introduced three of their five substitutes before the visitors got on the scoresheet writes Rachel O’Connor.
The strong wind played a part in the game making it difficult to judge passes. Halifax hit a free-kick into the side netting after Guiseley had twice gone close but it did not take leading scorer Josh Stones long to notch his tenth goal of the season, sliding the ball into the net in the 19th minute. He then blazed a shot over the bar after working his way free.
Halifax had a free header in the box but put it wide before Stones had another chance but fired wide after setting himself when well placed.
Guiseley moved 2-0 ahead when a beautiful cross from wing back Oli Reape found Jakub Hebda who volleyed home his ninth goal of the season. Another chance fell to Stones from a corner taken by Oliwier Grzelak, the ball falling at the striker’s feet but he shot against the keeper’s legs and the ball was cleared.
Early in the second-half Hebda put a free-kick just over the bar but in the 64th minute the striker then set up Stones for his second of the game and his 11th in six games. At this stage Grzelak was replaced in midfield by Sam Meeson.
Stones continued to be involved and he picked up a great ball down the line which he played to Hebda but it came to nothing.
Guiseley then replaced Stones and Reape with Jack Wilman and Jnai Trought. In the 77th minute Harrison Leigh had an effort cleared off the line. Halifax then pulled a goal back with a good low shot and Guiseley’s hard-working Harry Glover fired a free-kick into the ‘keeper’s arms.
Manager Dave Currie then threw on his last two substitutes to give the whole squad a run out before next Tuesday’s home tie against Rochdale in the FA Youth Cup. Leigh and John were replaced by Ricardo Grey and Dylan Kouemou.
The Young Lions are back at Nethermoor on Tuesday 2nd November in the FA Youth Cup first round with Rochdale the visitors for the 7pm kick-off. Entry is just £3 adults and £2 concessions/U18’s.
GUISELEY: Hagie Damba; Oli Reape (Jnai Trought), Harrison Leigh (Ricardo Grey), Ellis Farrar, Jayden John (Dylan Kouemou); Harry Glover, Dexter Ball, Oliwier Grzelak (Sam Meeson), Alex Mather; Josh Stones (Jack Wilman), Jakub Hebda.
