GUISELEY'S joint-manager Marcus Bignot was delighted with his side's 2-1 win over Bradford City on Tuesday night, with even a negative turned into a positive.

Bignot enthused: "I think we've ticked every box today, in terms of what we wanted from our first game.

"The only blip was Kayode (Odejayi) coming off but what a substitution! I'm delighted for young Scott Smith getting the winner."

Smith was not the only academy player to feature for the Lions, with George Gomersall also gaining 45 minutes of first-team experience.

Bignot spoke of the importance of using the club's academy, saying: "We've had trialists and some of them played this evening.

"But while we have the academy, we've got time to have a look at them. They've already been training with us but we want to give them minutes on the pitch too."

Kingsley James made his debut for the club against City, with the former Macclesfield man only having signed hours earlier.

Bignot was happy with the midfielder's efforts, as well as those of the rest of his new-look squad.

He said: "We were really massive on bringing the right characters and personalities into the club.

"The supporters have seen good players out there today and they will continue to as the season goes on. The players want to play for the club."

Teenager Smith also gave a post-match interview after his winner, and he sounded incredulous about what had happened.

The 19-year-old said: "When I got the ball, I just drove forward and tried my luck and it went in.

"You can't do more than come on, work hard and try to make a big impression on Marcus and Russ (O'Neill)."

He was thrilled to get the opportunity to start with, having now trained and played with the first team.

He said: "It's been great for the younger lads to be involved in training and they've seen that you might get a chance to come on and play in big games like this."

Smith was full of praise for the guidance he has received under Guiseley's esteemed academy coaches, Dave Currie and Danny Ellis.

He said: "I've been there for three years now and worked with Dave and Danny and they're great coaches.

"They put you through your paces in pre-season and they'll be getting the lads in early and beasting them at the moment."

"But last season was a great one for them and they just need to kick on now because the hard work doesn't stop there."