Guiseley miss chances but gain points (From Wharfedale Observer)

Guiseley miss chances but gain points

6:41pm Wednesday 3rd March 2010

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GUISELEY may have given two under par performances so far as taking their scoring chances in their last two home games but they did the job and collected all six points in their quest to catch up on the league leaders.

Saturday’s 2-0 home win over bottom club Durham City was very disappointing albeit a win.

Title rivals Bradford Park Avenue had hammered the beleaugured Durham side of college boys 7-0 and Guiseley supporters were expecting much more than the paltry two goals their side scored. On Tuesday night they made hard work of overcoming a Kendal side 1-0, again wasting a host of chances.

Guiseley 1 Kendal Town 0

With both teams in contention for end of season honours Tuesday’s game was expected to be a tight affair and so it proved with little quarter asked or given as two well-matched sides battled it out.

Alex Taylor almost drew first blood for the visitors when a judicious ball behind the home defence left him with just ’keeper Jon Worsnop to beat in the second minute, but he fluffed the chance and shot wide.

Stuart Rudd’s ball played back from the byeline found Liam Needham but he was unable to get his shot away first time and eventually scuffed his effort over.

Guiseley continued to spray the ball around without being able to find a way through a resolute defence whilst at the other end Worsnop was never troubled going in to the break.

The crucial goal came nine minutes into the second-half when left-back Dave Merris let fly from 18 yards. David Newnes did well to parry away only for James Walshaw to retrieve the ball and play it into the path of Steve Burton whose cross was diverted into his known net by Kendal captain Steel.

Rudd had a penalty claim waved away as he looked to be dragged down by Gary Stopforth and Carl Osman had the chance to level matters after turning two defenders only to find Worsnop in inspired form as he blocked the Kendal player’s effort.

Walshaw then twice went close to wrapping it up for the home side on two occasions. Needham’s persistence paid dividends but the usually deadly striker put his effort wide and then fizzed one just past the post with Newnes beaten.

As the clock ticked down and the home defence held firm the visitors’ frustration boiled over when a back pass in the six yard box was collected by Newnes, who then refused to release the ball as Adam Muller and Walshaw looked to take a quick kick.

In the melee that followed Newnes pushed Walshaw to the ground, the striker made a meal of things and referee Matt Walsh showed the ’keeper a straight red with Steel donning the ’keeper’s gloves.

In the end the free-kick came to naught as referee Walsh blew the final whistle to end a pulsating contest that was played at a relentless pace throughout with the spoils going to the home side.

Guiseley 2 Durham City 0

WITH the young Durham side’s goal difference at minus 116 the home fans were expecting a goal-fest that in the end never materialised as City got ten men behind the ball at every opportunity and battled in great style not to get another drubbing.

Guiseley created a host of opportunities but it took 49 minutes to get the breakthrough when James Walshaw’s effort looked to be handled but Liam Needham continued and smashed the loose ball home.

Needham had brought a good parry from Rhys Jobling in the first-half and Walshaw was unable to capitalise on Jobling’s attempted clearance whilst Malvin Kamara set up Stuart Rudd only for the striker to balloon his shot well over as chances went begging.

Adam Muller’s introduction at half-time in place of Kamara proved to be the catalyst that finally saw them home, the second goal coming on the hour after Rudd had forced Jobling into a hurried clearance and veteran midfielder Chris Holland showed his class by getting his head over the ball and firing in from almost 30 yards.

A Muller goal was disallowed for a dubious off-side, Rudd missed two sitters, Dave Merris was foiled by Jobling while Guiseley also had what looked two stonewall penalty claims waved away.

Whatever the cause of Durham’s current plight one cannot but admire the way the team stick to their task. When two of their players found themselves unmarked 20 yards out they didn’t seem to believe it, let’s hope the experience stands them in good stead for next season.

l On Saturday Guiseley travel to Nantwich Town, with no let up in their packed schedule following weeks of inactivity due to the bad weather, and then follow this with a mid-week home game against Burscough on Tuesday (7.45pm).

James Cotterill will serve the second of his two match suspension on Saturday while Craig Bentham remains on the injured list with long term injury victim Anthony Lloyd.

Guiseley Reserves continue their quest to win the East Division of the Lancashire League when they entertain Wakefield at Nethermoor Park on Saturday with a 3pm kick-off.

Midfielder Joe Hendrie has returned to training with the side following his ten month round the world trip but has ruled himself out of a return to action at this level yet as he seeks full fitness.

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