STALYBRIDGE......2

Guiseley..............1

THE problems deepen by the match for Guiseley and after being close to top in the Fair Play League for most of the season they have suddenly found themselves with four red cards in four matches.

Saturday's match was surrounded in controversy. Guiseley had what they thought was a leveller ruled out for off-side, with Andy Williams clearly on side, and Simon Parke was dismissed for allegedly trying to strike a spectator who had allegedly hurled racist abuse at him.

This was Parke's second dismissal in a week and it came in a game when his team mate Benn Gallagher had already been shown the red card for a professional foul.

Parke, whose glut of goals this season has led to him having trials with Cambridge United in recent weeks, was obviously incensed by the comments from the spectator and dived in after the perpetrator.

Home centre-half Eddie Johnson immediately called for stewards to come and escort the spectator from the ground and the situation reached boiling point with Guiseley manager Bobby Davison apparently threatening to take his players from the pitch.

Stalybridge later announced that the man had been banned from their ground for life. They made a tannoy announcement that racism of any kind would not be tolerated by the Stalybridge club.

In the end the football was a secondary matter.

Stalybridge had not scored a home goal in their previous six games but it took them just four minutes to score in this game.

Guiseley central defender Steve Hook was slow to respond as the ball came in and Tony Sullivan ran on to score.

Stalybridge, with the slope in their favour and with the sun shining in the eyes of Guiseley 'keeper Nigel Muttick, had much the better of the first-half with Guiseley under the cosh.

The home side increased their lead in the 43rd minute when Steve Jones headed home at the back post.

In first-half injury time Parke pulled a goal back for Guiseley when he rose high above the defence to head in Andy Williams' free-kick past 'keeper Gary Ingham.

This was Parke's 28th goal of the season.

In a bid to change the pattern of play Davison replaced Hook with young midfielder Andy Shuttleworth.

In the 62nd minute Benn Gallagher found himself the last man and was sent off for a clumsy tackle adjudged a professional foul.

Guiseley thought they had levelled in the 67th minute. Parke's brilliant header thundered back off the bar and Williams headed in but the referee ruled the effort out.

Guiseley were starting to play better football but then came the incident involving Parke and the spectator and they were down to nine men.

How they battled, putting on a brace display as if giving their own answer to the problem.

Unfortunately they were again left without points and embroiled in the relegation battle.

Guiseley - Nigel Muttick; Simon Trevitt, Rudi Coleano, Steve Hook (Andy Shuttleworth), Benn Gallagher; James Elliott, Des Hazel, Paul Bulgin, Andy Williams; Simon Parke, Simon Ireland. Subs. David Cooke, James Nettleton.

l On Saturday Guiseley entertain Colwyn Bay (3 pm) while, the Reserves travel to Ashton United for a 1 pm kick-off.

On Tuesday Guiseley visit Gainsborough Trinity and the following Saturday entertain Leek Town.

Guiseley Reserves.....2

Macclesfield Town.....1

This was a good result for Guiseley Reserves as they battle to finish in a top three position in the run in to the Lancashire League campaign. Macclesfield's team is made up of full-time YTS and Academy players as their neat football and fitness showed but Guiseley, well led by the experienced Steve Daykin, battled hard for the points.

With manager Brett Ferriday in Bulgaria the managerial reins were held by the Academy duo Rob Ames and Colin Grunwell as they got their first introduction to this level of football.

Macclesfield took the lead with an excellent shot which swerved put of reach of 'keeper James Shutt into the far corner of the net.

Guiseley brought on Stefan Zoll at the start of the second-half and it was his goal direct from a free-kick which put Guiseley level. Shutt made a number of good saves as Macclesfield applied pressure but Guiseley sealed victory with a superb strike from Daykin from all of 30 yards.

Macclesfield had a player sent off for speaking out of turn to the referee.

Mark Entwhistle had a useful debut for Guiseley and Nathan Adams, enjoying the rarity of a full game, played well.

When the pressure was on Steve Sanders, Paul Bowyer and substitute John Gallifant held things together at the back while in midfield Adams, Ben Thackwray, Andy Holden and Phil Atkinson worked hard and tackled well.

Daykin and David Hunter and later substitute Lee Reilly worked hard to keep the pressure on up front.

Guiseley Reserves - James Shutt; Steve Sanders, Robert Morgan (John Gallifant), Paul Bowyer, Mark Entwhistle (Lee Reilly); Nathan Adams, Ben Thackwray, Andy Holden, Phil Atkinson; Steve Daykin, David Hunter (Stefan Zoll).

Ossett Town..............1

Guiseley Academy.....3

GUISELEY Academy travelled to Ossett on Sunday and failed to take advantage of the strong wind in the first-half. They dominated proceedings but squandered a succession of chances.

Ossett were quick on the break but floundered against the solid defensive work of Danny McCartney and Ian Hudson and the half finished goalless.

Ossett came out full of attacking resolve for the second-half and pinned Guiseley back for the opening ten minutes.

However, Guiseley broke quickly and Oliver Barrand squared the ball for leading scorer Lee Reilly to put them ahead.

Straight from the re-start Guiseley broke away again and the excellent McCartney struck a fine goal from 15 yards. Reilly hit the third on 70 minutes and although Ossett fought back with a superb 35 yard strike the result was never in doubt.

Guiseley played out the final ten minutes in comfort to record a fine win.

Guiseley Academy - John Lamb; Ian Hudson, Danny McCartney, Richard Beckram, Matt Ames; Michael Rhodes, Greg Jowitt, Andy Holden, Phil Atkinson; Oliver Barrand, Lee Reilly. Subs: Peter Sumner, Danny Jowett (both used).

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