Dave Currie’s young chargers have had a busy two weeks with four fixtures including a run of three games in six days, Rachel O’Connor rounds up all the latest action.
Guiseley Academy went top of the National League Under-19 Alliance North division following their 8-2 win over hosts Altrincham on Monday 26th February.
This went some way to restoring their pride after being knocked out of the Academy Cup on Friday 23rd February by York City 4-2 on penalties after the sides were level 1-1 at full time.
The big win at Egerton Youth Club saw Guiseley go from being level at 2-2 at half-time to registering six more goals with seven different players in total on the scoresheet.
Guiseley lacked central defender Lewin Storton who has notched four goals this season.
However, with fellow centre-back Freddie Westfall netting a brace with his first goals of the season in the 20th and 50th minutes the defenders’ union extended their tally.
Full-backs Kyle Burrows (66 minutes) and K’Marni Miller (61 minutes) both scored to take the number of goals scored by defenders this season to 21.
Westfall, who has been gaining experience of men’s football while dual registered with Steeton, opened the scoing in the 20th minute before Altrincham hit back to lead 2-1.
Winger Jack Mason netted his 12th goal of the season in first-half injury time to draw the Young Lions level.
In a purple patch of 22 minutes from the 50th minute Guiseley bombarded the Altrincham goal netting six more goals to seal an emphatic win.
These came from Westfall (50) with a second, striker Danyaal Khan (55), who made a scoring debut for Otley Town; striker George Sebine; left-back K’Marni Miller (61): right-back Kyle Burrows (66) and midfielder Oliwier Grzelak (72).
Guiseley leapfrogged long time leaders Farsley Celtic to take top spot with both having 29 points but Guiseley have a game in hand on Farsley and a better goal difference with 20 to Farsley’s 12.
This was Guiseley’s ninth league win in 13 games with two drawn and two lost.
Guiseley’s title seeking Academy side were cruelly pegged back to 2-2 in the last 10 minutes of their hard-fought game at South Shields on Wednesday 28th February.
It was their third game in six days, fourth for a number of Dave Currie’s protegees who also play men’s football on Saturdays.
A double from Polish midfielder Oliwier Grzelak had put Guiseley in the driving seat as they aimed to hold on to their newly-claimed top spot in the National League Under-19 Alliance North Division.
These goals took Grzelak’s tally to three goals in three starts since he returned to the Academy.
Leading scorers are: Danyaal Khan 14, Jack Mason 12, K’Marni Miller 8 Kyle Burrows 7, George Sebine 7, Oli Storr 4, Lewin Storton 4, Oliwier Grzelak 3
Guiseley: Callum Bradbury; Marley Spence, Sam Walters, Freddie Westfall, Kyle Burrows; Oli Storr, Max Dickinson, Oliwier Grzelak, Jack Mason; Danyaal Khan, George Sebine. Sub: Joe Taylor.
The Young Lions gave their all but were hit late on thus dropping points and with Farsley Celtic winning 3-1 against Solihull Moors the Celts returned to top spot.
Farsley played another game on Friday beating Chesterfield 3-2 to extended their lead to five points but Guiseley have two games in hand on them.
They also have games in hand on third placed Chester, who have played four more games.
Guiseley’s current form guide is the best in the league with five wins and a draw in the last six games to Farsley’s four wins and two losses.
Guiseley Supporters’ Club Chairman Bill Tait, who was the squad’s driver for the day, said: “The lads were unlucky not to win but each and every one of the Academy lads were a credit to Guiseley AFC, both on and off the field.”
The Young Lions then headed to Blyth Sparts last Wednesday but slipped to a 3-0 loss, their first defeat in 13 matches.
Dave Currie’s side return to action on Wednesday against Chester at Nethermoor in a 2pm kick-off, this is the first of all but one of the final eight games of the campaign due to be played on home ground.
