Guiseley 3 Barnsley 3

THE HONOURS were even at Nethermoor last night as Sky Bet Championship visitors Barnsley hit a late strike to share half a dozen goals with Guiseley.

The Lions had edged ahead late on in a contest that swung like a pendulum and the Tykes’ 88th minute leveller was a fitting finale.

The kick-off for the pre-season friendly had to be put back 15 minutes due to traffic problems on the M62.

Guiseley began with seven trialists in their starting line-up and had another three listed on their 13 strong bench. Paul Heckingbottom’s Barnsley had 22 players in their squad and close season signing Zeki Fryers, the former Manchester United and Spurs full back, in the starting line-up.

Home keeper Joe Green was tested early on but he was equal to Lloyd Isgrove’s fifth minute effort. The Lions’ defence was breached soon after as Isgrove did well before his shot took a wicked deflection to beat Green.

Guiseley equalised in the 34th minute when one of the trialists sent in a volley that also took a deflection and Tykes’ keeper Jack Walton was beaten again minutes before the interval when two of the trialists combined.

There were a lot of changes at the break but mostly by the home side while Heckingbottom gave some of his players more than 45 minutes. One of them was Fryers and the attacking right back, who was signed from Crystal Palace at the start of the month, lashed an unstoppable shot past Guiseley’s second-half keeper, and number one, Jonny Maxted.

The Lions regained the lead with a little over a quarter of an hour remaining. One of the trailists saw a powerful header come back off the bar but Reece Thompson neatly back heeled the rebound in.

Barnsley’s George Moncur, who learned his football at West Ham United’s Academy, hit the visitors’ late equaliser. The midfielder lashed in a shot from distance to ensure a fair result from a competitive friendly.

Elsewhere last night Liversedge exploded out of their close season recess with a 10-0 home win over local club Oakenshaw in the first friendly outing for Jonathan Rimmington’s men.

Tonight sees Campion hosting their second friendly fixture as Ossett Albion visit the sportsbulk.co.uk Stadium at Scotchman Road.