Guiseley Academy were missing leading scorer Josh Stones when they took on Stockport County in a National League Alliance U-19 North home game, played at Yorkshire Amateur, on Wednesday afternoon, writes Rachel O’Connor.
With the injured Stones cheering from the sidelines the Young Lions gradually wore their visitors down with some good running and some powerful but well controlled aggression. Guiseley showed their intent early doors by forcing a number of corners but Stockport forced a save low down from Hagie Damba, who recently signed first team forms.
When Stockport threatened again the ‘keeper rushed out to make a massive clearance into nearby woodland.
The game was nip and tuck in these early stages but Guiseley settled things down when they opened the scoring after 20 minutes through Harry Glover. Damba made a good save when the Stockport No 11 broke through before Guiseley skipper Harrison Leigh put a free-kick just over the bar.
On 27 minutes Guiseley made it 2-0 when the persistence of striker Jakub Hebda saw him force the ball over the line. Hebda was involved in producing another chance for Guiseley, returning the ball to Oli Reape with a deft header after impressive work by the over-lapping right-back who shot just over.
Hebda was prevented from adding to the score by a great save from the visiting ‘keeper while Jnai Trought made an excellent clearance as Stockport pressed.
The star men at this stage however were the Guiseley subs who spent ages negotiating dense brambles to retrieve five footballs hit high and wide by the Stockport attack.
Early in the second-half Guiseley manager Dave Currie threw on Polish youngster Oliwier Grezlak and Ricardo Grey for Jnai Trought and Folefac Nkem. Guiseley then had a period of poor passing before the next substitution saw Sam Meeson replace Alex Mather in the 65th minute.
Stockport headed into the side netting before Guiseley extended their lead to 3-0 in the 75th minute, Hebda converting a penalty awarded for a foul on Ellis Farrar.
At this stage Damba left the field to give Oli Brackenbury a run out in goal. Jayden John was also replaced by Dylan Kouema.
Farrar maintained Guiseley’s clean sheet with a superb goalline clearance while at the other end Reape just failed to connect with a cross into the six yard box. Guiseley were not to be denied however and the Lions finally got the ball over the line at the third attempt as it pinged around the penalty area, Grezlak getting the final touch.
Stockport made a late attempt to get on the scoresheet but were denied by the bar before a good strike by Farrar wrapped it up for Guiseley at 5-0.
Guiseley now look forward to their FA Youth Cup tie against Ossett United at Nethermoor Park on Thursday, October 14th, kicking-off at 7.45pm.
Guiseley Academy 5-0 Stockport County – Images from the game can be found here
GUISELEY: Hagie Damba (Oli Brackenbury 76); Oli Reape, Jayden John (Dylan Kouema 76), JnaI Trought (Ricardo Grey 55), Harrison Leigh (C), Ellis Farrar, Dexter Ball, Folefac Nkem (Oliwier Grezlak 55), Jakub Hebda, Alex Mather (Sam Meeson 65), Harry Glover.
