Gremlins undaunted by Derby County

Guiseley Gremlins....2

This was an interesting test for Guiseley Gremlins Under-15s against top opposition. The team acquitted themselves well and were in no way overawed by the Premiership club, although the goalkeeping in particular was of the highest quality.

The first-half was a very close affair with Guiseley having slightly the better of play although 'keeper Jake Wray was called on to make a series of excellent saves.

Chris Napoli broke through and crossed to Andy Simmonds but as he shaped to shoot the Derby 'keeper dived bravely at his feet to collect the ball. Will Stubbs had an attempt sail over the bar and Chris Davey had a good shot saved.

Davey then slotted a ball through to Stubbs who had his shot brilliantly saved and on the counter attack Derby broke clear down the right and the winger crossed, only for the final shot to go high over at the far post.

Just a few minutes from the whistle Tom Stephenson put Guiseley ahead after good work down the left wing by Joe Parry. He went past two men before slipping the ball inside for Stephenson, who turned and slid the ball low beyond the 'keeper's reach at the near post.

Almost immediately County equalised with a lucky goal when a wild shot looped high over Wray's hands into the net. Soon afterwards a far better attempted lob shot went just over the bar.

In the second-half Guiseley took the opportunity to experiment with new formations, trying out players in a variety of alternative positions. Derby County used their freedom to take the lead for the first time when they broke away and finished well.

In return Chris Davey hit the underside of the bar with a crashing drive and went on to equalise direct from a free-kick. Keeper Jake Wray put up an impressive display of saves and on a rare occasion when he was beaten Ben Webster headed the ball off the line.

At the other end Andy Simmonds was shaping to shoot when a defender whipped the ball off his toes with an excellent tackle. Will Stubbs turned a County defender and sent in a pile driver from 25 yards which skimmed the bar with the 'keeper beaten. Derby stepped up the tempo and as the pressure on the Guiseley defence increased Perry Smith cleared off the line and Wray made a succession of fine saves.

Derby took the lead with a searching cross-field pass, finishing well at the far post and in the last seconds increased their lead when Wray was leftstranded.

Gremlins...................5

Bingley......................5

Second placed Guiseley surrendered a three goal lead in a thriller of a Craven League match against third placed Bingley, but a share of the points may not be enough for either team to close on current holders Shipley.

Bingley scored from their first attack, racing up the wing and crossing for the unmarked Andrew Ali to score at the far post with Guiseley's defence left flat-footed. Guiseley built up their attacking momentum and Andy Simmonds had a good shot palmed wide by the 'keeper, who also saved a Chris Davey header from a corner. 'Keeper Jake Wray was forced into a magnificent save before Guiseley raced up field and Lewis Blakey fired in an equaliser after the ball came back off the bar.

Blakey then made a fine run down the right to cross the ball but Will Stubbs' firm header was palmed over by the 'keeper. Soon afterwards Stubbs scored his first goal after being put through by Tom Stephenson. Stubbs saw another attempt hit the post before scoring his second, a header from a Chris Davey corner. As Bingley counter-attacked, Joe Roper made a saving header off the line and Wray made another fine save before Guiseley consolidated a 4-1 lead through a Tom Stephenson goal.

In the second-half Bingley turned the tables and Declan Corby in particular gave the Guiseley defence a torrid time. Ben Webster made an excellent saving tackle and cleared a certain-looking goal but Bingley broke through for Corby to score. They attacked again and Patrick Clough cleared off the line. Corby got his second when he broke clear and slotted home at the far post and his hat-trick was completed when he equalised by following up on another save by Wray.

Stubbs completed his hat-trick and restored the lead for Guiseley. Then Blakey made another fine run and slipped the ball inside for Simmons, whose shot skimmed the bar. Bingley's final equaliser was a super strike by Jerome White.

The game ended in a flurry of chances as Guiseley desperately tried to revive their championship hopes. Chris Napoli had a shot palmed wide, Chris Davey had another attempt well saved, Will Stubbs headed just over the bar from a corner and Tom Stephenson put Lewis Blakey clear, only for his shot

to cannon back agonisingly off the post. At the other end, Clough again cleared off the line before the final whistle.

Bingley...........................1

Gremlins........................5

Guiseley stormed through to the semi-finals of the Steven Greenwood Memorial Trophy with a thumping win over Bingley, helped by a four-goal haul from striker Will Stubbs.

Bingley put pressure on the visitors at the start and Joe Roper saved Guiseley by clearing the ball over the bar. However Guiseley gradually took the initiative and went ahead when Chris Davey swung his free-kick into the box where it was met first time by Will Stubbs, who sent a looping volley over the 'keeper.

Bingley fought back and forced Jake Wray into an acrobatic save. As the ball broke free, Bingley striker Johnny Cunnington reacted quickest to head in the equaliser. For Guiseley, Andy Simmonds went close, firing just over and when Tom Stephenson was pushed in the back Chris Davey stepped up to score direct from a free-kick.

In the second-half, Davey laid on a superb through ball for Stubbs to net his second and then came the goal of the game when Joe Parry put Stubbs through. On the left wing Tom Stephenson and Joe Parry struck up an uncanny understanding with their creative play while on the right Lewis Blakey was running rings round the Bingley defence, who resorted to a series of illegal challenges. Jake Wray made some brave saves.

Stephenson's cross found Parry but his well-directed header was saved. Parry went close again, firing just wide, but four minutes from time Stubbs raced onto a pass from Davey to fire in his fourth goal and seal the victory.