Parke the hero and the villain

Guiseley 2

GUISELEY'S leading scorer Simon Parke was both the hero and the villain as Bobby Davison's boys got back on track with their first win in ten games.

Davison had taken his side to his native North East and defeat would have plunged them deep into the relegation zone.

He called for his injury strapped side to dig deep and 'not lose this one'. His call saw his side respond well but it was a day of mixed fortunes for big striker Parke.

He had scored on his debut for Roy McFarland's Cambridge United Reserves against Gillingham on Wednesday night and he was soon on the scoresheet at Blyth. It took just four minutes for him to notch the opening goal.

Menston St Mary's schoolboy James Elliott was given another chance at senior level and he took a throw-in which Parke met with a left foot shot which saw the ball lobbed over the 'keeper Terry Burke.

Elliott has worked his way through Guiseley's Academy and Reserve sides.

Guiseley had to endure some rough treatment, midfielders Des Hazel and Andy Williams in particular, and at one point Simon Ireland was put into the pitch surround.

Hazel however survived to thread the ball through to Parke in the 25th minute and the striker notched his 27th goal of the campaign, with an excellent left foot shot on the turn. His scoring record of 27 goals in 35 games shows how vital he is to Guiseley's cause.

His total Guiseley record is 56 goals in 103 games but in his early days with the club he was more often than not played in the centre of defence or in midfield.

The Guiseley defence showed a little more stability than of late with former Huddersfield Town and Hull City defender Simon Trevitt recalled to the club. He took his place at right-back in a back four which also boasted Steve Hook, Matt Daly and Benn Gallagher with Elliott being an extra defender in the No 7 shirt.

The defence was all at sea however when Parke was called on to make a last ditch save. Finding himself the last man on the goalline Parke instinctively kept a shot out with his hand and was instantly shown the red card.

Blyth were awarded a penalty but were unable to make it count with Steve Hutchinson blasting his kick wide.

Guiseley 'keeper Nigel Muttick had hardly a save to make in the whole match but he was fortunate when a ball bounced off the back of Hook, who was on all fours. Muttick flicked out his foot and back flipped the ball over the bar to safety.

Blyth notched a 90th minute goal when Hutchinson atoned for his penalty miss by squeezing the ball in but all in all it was a vital win for Guiseley.

The players and management showed their appreciation of the travelling support by going over and applauding them at the end of the game.

Guiseley.- Muttick; Trevitt, Hook, Daly, Gallagher; Elliott, Hazel, Bulgin, Williams; Parke, Ireland. Subs. Shuttleworth, Poole, Cooke

l On Saturday Guiseley have a re-arranged game at Stalybridge while the Reserves entertain Macclesfield Town ( 3 pm).

At the request of Hyde United, who are wanting to save wages at the end of the season, their visit to Nethermoor has been re-arranged and will now take place next Tuesday (7.30 pm).

As clubs seek to cut costs Guiseley are also hoping to re-arrange their game with Frickley and the provisional date is Tuesday, April 4. Another re-arranged game sees Barrow travel to Nethermoor on Tuesday, March 21.

Guiseley Res.............3

Leek Town................0

Guiseley Reserves gave a debut in the centre of defence to teenager Robert Morgan whose father Dave was a colossus in the heart of the Guiseley first team back four some years ago.

Young Morgan acquitted himself well in a defence which included recent first team squad members James Shutt, James Nettleton, Rudi Coleano and Steve Sanders.

It was Sanders who opened the scoring in the fourth minute following a David Hunter corner. Coleano then got up well to another Hunter corner but headed wide.

The best chance of all perhaps fell to young midfielder Ben Thackwray who otherwise had an excellent game tackling hard and distributing well.

At the start of the second-half manager Brett Ferriday threw on Paul Bowyer and Rhys Stead in place of Julian Wilkes and Phil Atkinson pushing James Nettleton further forward.

The pattern of play was disrupted for a while and Guiseley, who should have been at least three goals up by half-time, were very much relying on Steve Daykin for their goal chances. The big man provided an opportunity for Sanders but the keeper made an excellent save.

Andy Holden limped off to be replaced by Ben Davey who was making his last appearance before returning to play and coach in America.

Daykin then had a good shot blocked by the 'keeper as did Rhys Stead but Daykin was there to see his deflected shot make it 2-0.

Daykin then made it 3-0 converting a chance set up by Sanders. Match point went to David Hunter.

Farsley Celtic...............3

Guiseley Academy........0

A dismal first-half from Guiseley Academy allowed Celtic to race into a 3-0 lead with three well-worked goals. Guiseley's defensive work was well below par although the excellent two excellent chances to get back into the game were spurned before half-time.

The visitors did more pressing in the second period but never looked like making a game of it and the game developed into a dreary spectacle.

Although Guiseley were not at full strength due to injury and promotion to the Reserves, too many players did not perform to their ability. Youngsters Liam Kelly and Ryan Thackray did, however, play well on their debuts.

On Tuesday the Academy drew 3-3 with visitors New Earswick who led 2-1 at the break. Guiseley's goals came from Oliver Barrand, Phil Atkinson and Matt Ames.

Hazel called

up by St Kitts

Guiseley midfielder Des Hazel has been called up by St Kitts and Nevis for their two World Cup qualifiers against Turks on March 18 and the Caicos Islands on March 21.

The former Chesterfield, Sheffield Wednesday and Rotherham player, will miss Guiseley's game against Barrow.

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