by Rachel O’Connor The talk of any crisis at Nethermoor has rightly been dismissed but the financial climate is not good and the Guiseley club has had to make some big decisions in recent weeks.

Not all have been popular with the fans, as with last weekend’s departure of diminutive striker David Brown.

The former Bradford City youngster had become a big favourite with the Nethermoor faithful, with his pace and goalscoing skills. Something always seemed to happen when he was unleashed on the pitch.

Brown, however, has never figured as one of manager Steve Kittrick’s first-choice striker pairing. The boss preferred to go with James Hanson and Adam Muller.

While Hanson seems to have regained some of the scoring form that made him the side’s leading scorer last season, the much vaunted big money signing Muller has struggled to find the net since joining Guiseley.

The former West Riding County FA youth player has made a name as a striker of note. No one can fault his ability or his work ethic but he just hasn’t produced the goals for the Nethermoor club. He has scored just four to Brown’s ten in the current campaign, Brown also having found the mark six times in the pre-season friendlies.

So for Brown, who has been making his appearances mostly off the bench - the latest to score in the League Cup win over Ashton United - it was off to Halifax Town with the Guiseley club receiving a fee for him.

The previous week fellow striker Phil Denney was let go so that the club could sign midfielder Michael Roddy from Harrogate Town.

Assistant manager Wayne Benn explained the situation, saying: “We brought Michael Roddy in from Harrogate Town. He is only 19, has a smashing left foot and a great engine.

“Unfortunately, to balance the books someone had to go and that was Phil Denney. It had to be done and it was a wrench because Phil is a great kid. Everyone is sad to see him go. He was a livewire in the dressing room and an inspiration on the training ground.

“It is simply down to numbers and not exceeding the budget.”

Benn was delighted with Roddy’s debut saying: “We beat Ashton United in the League Cup and Michael put his foot on the ball and brought people into play.

“He was outstanding considering that it was his first game with the lads and he hadn’t played since November.”

Guiseley are still not able to utilise midfielder David Briggs, signed from Kittrick’s old club Ossett Town.

Ossett made an allegation of an illegal approach and the matter was due to go before the West Riding County FA on Monday but due to the bad weather the hearing was postponed.

FC United of Manchester 2 Guiseley 1

On a bitterly cold day at Bury’s Gigg Lane Guiseley were left disappointed after delivering one of their best defensive performances of the season only to concede two goals in the last three minutes.

With Steve Burton absent injured, Simeon Bambrook came back into the side and new signing from Harrogate Town Michael Roddy made his league debut, on the left of midfield.

Piotr Skiba was first into action to deny Simon Carden’s point-blank effort. James Hanson got his head to a Jerome Fitzgerald free-kick but the the ball just eluded Adam Muller at the far post.

Hanson was then fouled and Bambrook’s free-kick took a deflection off Jerome Wright to go beyond Danny Warrender for the opener.

There was further bad news for United shortly after as star striker Kyle Wilson limped off. The visitors continued to press and Bambrook went close from 20 yards while Chris Bolder put his effort the wrong side of the post.

The second half continued much in the same vein with Guiseley’s midfield trio, Bambrook, Bolder and Roddy, harrying and chasing everything as FC United seemed devoid of ideas of how to break down a resolute defence.

When they did breach the back line they found Danny Ellis in commanding form.

Muller headed over from a Guiseley corner and then Roddy had the chance to seal the game but he delayed his shot which gave Warrender time to race out and smother the threat.

Ellis made a goaline clearance before Wright redeemed himself with a sweet left-foot volley. Skiba got a hand to it but could not prevent it from sailing into the top corner in the 87th minute. United then scored again through Adam Turner to steal the points. p Guiseley visit Witton Albion in the League Cup on Saturday.