Guiseley progress on FA Cup trail (From Wharfedale Observer)

Guiseley progress on FA Cup trail

9:00am Monday 17th September 2007 in Guiseley By Rachel O'Connor

Durham City 1 GUISELEY 3

A below-par Guiseley avoided the first of the potholes on the FA Cup trail when they saw off a spirited Durham City side at Washington FC's Albany Park ground.

With both teams unbeaten this season an intriguing contest looked in prospect and it must have been disheartening for the Arngrove Northern League hosts that so few of their fans made the relatively-short trip: the sparse crowd contained a fair-sized Guiseley contingent.

The game had to be moved from Durham's own ground as it is a 3G artificial surface and they are not allowed in the FA Cup.

Dominic Krief returned to a Guiseley midfield lacking the injured skipper Richard Dunning and Adam Wilson, while Paul Rickers made his first start of the campaign. Aron Wilford was moved into midfield with Sam Denton coming into the defence.

The UniBond Premier side showed first and in the fourth minute Marc Smith headed against the bar with Sam Denton's follow-up blocked. Another four minutes and Denton was centre-stage again. Chasing a loose ball in the box he found a defender attempting to acquire his shirt and Krief netted from the penalty spot.

Two minutes later the lead was doubled. James Hanson's persistence allowed Krief to cross deep, and when Smith nodded back across goal it was the diminutive Leon Henry of all people who looped a header over Liam Connell.

It all looked too easy to be true and so it proved. Durham's ball-playing skills, honed on their own all-weather pitch, came to the fore as Guiseley retreated into their customary attack and defence' mode. Calvin Smith shot narrowly over from distance but several forays were repulsed by sheer weight of numbers in the congested penalty area.

Steve Dickinson played his part turning over James Farrell's effort at full stretch and then being clattered while fielding Calvin Smith's free-kick.

Guiseley's attacks, when they came, were more direct and incisive. Marc Smith won a header against his namesake Robert - one of the few defenders tall enough to look him in the eye - but Aron Wilford's shot was tame.

A Denton free-kick was turned smartly round by Connell and Krief blazed wide following Henry's half-cleared corner then sent another free-kick straight at defender Richard Smith.

The second-half repeated the pattern. Durham continued to press forward without looking dangerous, while for Guiseley Wilford and Smith spurned chances and Hanson narrowly lost a race with the 'keeper.

It took another goal by Krief on the hour to settle the fans' nerves. Henry's explosive left-wing run set him up and when Connell showed him the near post he blasted home via the keeper's gloves.

With the tension released the game at last opened up. Danny Ellis cleared off the line and Dean Walters, on for Rickers, set up a chance for Hanson. In one frenetic incident Smith first hit the bar then potted Henry's return only to be flagged off-side.

Within two minutes the home side had pulled a goal back. Stewart Morris's hoist into the box for once wreaked havoc and Steve Harrison slotted in the loose ball.

The goal seemed to remind Durham how useful they could be. Dickinson showed his class with a stunning turnover from Farrell, Denton headed a corner from under the bar, Harrison squandered a repeat chance and John Swift was on hand for another goal line clearance.

Guiseley weathered the storm and nearly managed the last word when Henry's curler kissed the foot of the post.

So it ended with yet another victory for Guiseley and the juggernaut rolls on. It was, to an extent, another example of winning ugly' but no less creditable given their injury problems. Rest assured, a lot of sides will be keen to avoid them in the next round.

Guiseley: Dickinson; Swift, Denton, Ellis, Sturdy, Henry; Krief, Wilford, Rickers (Walters, 55); Smith (Bett, 88), Hanson. Unused Subs: Reid, Hay, Douglas.

Attendance: 124.