Guiseley 3 Halifax Town 1

James Walshaw provided further reasons for his rising reputation in non-league football as his helped Guiseley claim a place in the final of the West Riding County Cup on Tuesday night.

Walshaw’s two second-half penalties took his season’s tally through the 20-goal barrier and booked his side a trip to Valley Parade next month to take on Thackley.

It was Halifax who were spot on first though when Scott Phelan’s penalty gave them a deserved lead after 20 minutes after Danny Ellis handled in the box.

That came after Phelan’s pass had set-up Lee Gregory early on, who turned sharply before shooting wide as the visitors settled well.

Their youthful line-up belied their relative inexperience by exhibiting a composure on the ball that would normally have befitted their higher league opponents.

Guiseley reacted well to going behind though, and after Joe O’Neill’s fierce drive whistled just over from long-range, former Halifax striker Darryn Stamp executed a first-class finish past Phil Senior after latching on to Luke Sharry’s through ball.

Despite both teams have bigger prizes to play for, with Guiseley chasing promotion to the Blue Square Premier and Halifax hoping to emulate their hosts’ achievement of last season by winning the Northern Premier League, there was no hint of relaxation as the game wore on Guiseley gradually assumed superiority in the tie during the second-half though, and after Stamp and Walshaw had both gone close, the latter fired the Lions in front from the spot on 68 minutes after being brought down by Senior.

That came two minutes after the visitors had gone close to going ahead when substitute Callum Meade’s fine run ended with a well-struck shot that was saved by James Coates at his near post before a stray clearance seconds later resulted in Scott Hogan’s long-range strike bouncing off the bar on its way over.

However, if Walshaw’s first penalty proved to be the turning point, then his second after 88 minutes ended the game as a contest.

He again picked himself up after being fouled in the box and kept his nerve from 12 yards to ensure Guiseley remain fighting on two fronts for silverware this season.

Guiseley: Steve Drench (James Coates 46), Ryan Toulson, Dave Merris, Warren Peyton, Danny Ellis, Simon Ainge, Joe O'Neill, Danny Boshell, Darryn Stamp (Gavin Rothery 60), James Walshaw, Luke Sharry. Subs: Jake McEneaney, Grant Roberts.

Halifax: Phil Senior, Scott Eastwood, Sanchez Heffernan, Andy Milne, James Riley, Matthew Jones, Jordan Coduri, Scott Phelan (Hayden Kerris 46), Scott Hogan, Lee Gregory (Callum Mead 46), Scott Metcalfe. Subs: Jonathan Hedge, Lee Nogan, Aaron Hardy