CHORLEY...........1
Guiseley..........1
MORE significant for Guiseley than the point they gained from this game may be the fact that it marked the return to action of Simon Phillips.
The defender has been missing for 18 months following a cruciate injury and many in the Nethermoor camp mark the club's demise down to the time Phillips had to withdraw from action.
Phillips was one of the stars in the club's FA Cup victory over Nuneaton Borough. It was in the league game immediately following this success that Phillips was stretchered off and from then on Guiseley's performances went downhill.
They have just managed to stave off their second successive relegation and it is now hoped that Phillips will recover fully and play a full part in their return to glory.
In a fairly low key first-half Chorley went the closest to scoring. Their leading scorer Danny Mills badly mis-timed a free header from a corner with a gaping goal at his mercy.
He went a lot nearer with a scorching 25 yard drive which clipped the bar in the 40th minute.
Guiseley worked hard, as has been their ethos in the closing stages against the better sides.
They gained the upperhand in the second-half and fully deserved their 71st minute lead. This came when Lee Poole steered home a right-wing cross from young substitiute Danny McCartney, who had replaced Ben Thackwray.
Phillips came on for his much awaited return when Andy Shuttleworth became a victim of some rough treatment from former Guiseley centre-back Steve Hook.
Chorley's efforts to equalise foundered on a composed Guiseley defence and Neil Parsley's men were somewhat unlucky to lose their lead to a fluke goal six minutes from time.
A left wing cross fell invitingly for Neil Mitchell whose shot on goal was well off target.
However, substitute Keith Evans reacted quickly with a firm header to redirect the ball past a bemused Guiseley 'keeper James Shutt.
This could well have been the Guiseley swansong for long serving defender Colin Hogarth and former Leeds United midfielder Andy Williams.
Hogarth, who captained the Guiseley side which won the FA Vase ten years ago and who has made over 580 appearances for the club, has suggested he will be retiring.
So too has current club skipper Andy Williams.
Both received 'retirement' presentations of slippers for Williams and a pipe for Hogarth at a fun filled presentation night in the clubhouse on Saturday night. Hogarth was also presented with an inscribed hip flask in recognition of his long service.
Williams acted as MC for the evening which saw him presented with the first team Player-of-the-Year award by manager Neil Parsley with David Cooke lifting the Fair Play Award.
The Reserve Team Player-of-the-Year award went to Ben Thackwray and the Clubman-of-the-Year award went to Peter Sumner.
The Youth Team Player-of-the-Year award went to 18 year-old Danny McCartney who has captained the youth team this season as well as captaining the West Riding County FA Youth team for whom he has received his county cap after making ten appearances.
McCartney has played for all three of the Guiseley club's sides this season making his first team debut after gaining a regular place in the reserve team.
A presentation was made by Club Chairman Phil Rogerson to retiring Director and groundsman Norman Jukes. Flowers were presented to a number of ladies who have worked for the club over the season.
Guiseley Res..........7
Morecambe............1
WHEN the Guiseley Reserve team lined up to clap Lancashire League champions Morecambe onto the pitch it was as their manager Brett Ferriday said 'the last act of courtesy' to the visitors.
His side went on to rattle in seven goals as they produced some excellent football which tore the champions apart.
The pace of strikers Lee Reilly, Paul Terrelong and Kevin Newhouse tore holes in the Morecambe defence and left them chasing shadows.
Reilly netted a hat-trick, Terrelong scored two, Newhouse one and left-back Asif a beauty direct from a free-kick.
The Reserves are left with three games to play in four days this week - all away from home.
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