EMLEY.........................0

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

BOBBY Davison's boys have got the scent of the UniBond championship and this was evident in this superb backs to the wall display at Emley.

They started out without six injured players and brought in Julian Wilkes and Lee Poole from the reserve team for their first full outings of the season.

Unfortuantely Wilkes was sent off early in the second-half for his second bookable offence but the ten men battled on bravely to emerge with the points on a day when all their title rivals floundered.

Things are certainly tough in the UniBond League and though manager Davison has always played down his side's title chances it is efforts like that at Emley which are the mark of champions.

His side has struggled throughout the season with key players injured for long spells and the battle is certainly tough at the moment with Guiseley playing four games every eight days.

The injury toll is mounting match by match but there has been an added spring of late in the step of the players who step out in the Nethermoor colours.

Nothing in this league of course is certain and any team from top to bottom can beat each other so it is vital that Guiseley take nothing for granted and continue to battle for 90 minutes every game.

They recently had a spell some would regard as poor with a string of four successive draws but in the context of the competitiveness of this league, the number of players out of the side injured and the number of games being played in quick succession those draws could well be the vital factor at the end of a tough season.

With the win at Emley it took them to a run of eight games without defeat - a run worthy of praise at any stage of the season.

They now face a crucial run in with a further game scheduled for last night Thursday at home to Frickley followed by Lancaster City at home on Saturday, Blyth Spartans away in the League Cup semi-final on Tuesday, Emley at home on Thursday, Marine away on Saturday, April 17, Blyth away on Tuesday, April 20 and then the crunch of a run in at Worksop on Saturday, April 24, at Whitby on Thursday, April 29, finishing with Altrincham at home on Saturday, May 1.

At Emley On Monday Guiseley were without Simon Trevitt, Colin Hogarth, Andy Williams, Stewart Airdrie, Simon Parke and Bobby Davison and the injury situation was compounded when Mick Morrell had to leave the fray at half-time to be replaced by Michael Jordan.

With the wind against them in the first-half Guiseley forced early chances with Morrell bringing a save from the 'keeper after being put through by a good ball from Des Hazel. Colin Hunter then shot wide and Lee Poole, who had a good UniBond debut, shot just wide when on his weaker left foot.

Guiseley looked dangerous on the break and after 40 minutes Benn Gallagher's free-kick looked to be curling into the top corner but the 'keeper manged to fingertip it away.

In the second-half Michael Jordan replaced Morrell and in the 55th minute Guiseley were down to ten men when Wilkes was sent off.

This made it difficult to hold the ball up front but Guiseley battled away and got their reward in the 63rd minute.

Colin Hunter cut in from the right and his shot hit the bar. It fell to Gallagher and his effort was blocked but Jordan was there to run the ball into the net.

Jordan almost scored again in the 67th minute with a fierce shot which was tipped over. Hunter also had a late chance but his effort was well saved.

On a day when Worksop and Altrincham could only draw and Gateshead lost this was a real six pointer for Guiseley.

Guiseley...................2

Accrington..............1

TWO superb strikes from player-manager Bobby Davison put Guiseley into the semi-finals of the UniBond League Cup but again it was a game in which Guiseley created plenty of chances but left it late to score.

A scoreless first-half saw the Accrington 'keeper Jamie Speare under severe pressure. He collected a header from Mick Morrell, headed another effort away from under his bar and blocked an early effort from Stewart Airdrie after a slick move involving Colin Hunter and Mick Morrell.

Steve Dickinson made an excellent fingertip save at the other end on 40 minutes and was again equal to the task early in the second-half when Noel Horner drove a rising ball through a melee of players.

Both Davison and Morrell fired efforts over the bar before a superbly flighted Neil Parsley free-kick was glanced in by Davison's head at the far post in the 69th minute.

With most eyes on former Guiseley manager Gordon Rayner - now assistant to Accrington manager Wayne Harrison - as he was banished from the touchline by the referee Davison's second goal went almost unnoticed.

A long kick from 'keeper Dickinson was collected by Davison who fired into the net with aplomb to seal a passage into the semi-finals for his Guiseley side.

This is one competition Guiseley have yet to win and Davison would dearly love some silverware on the shelf in his first full season of management.

Late in the game Peter Atkinson's pulling was adjudged inside the area and Billy O'Callaghan stepped forward to drive in the penalty and although Dickinson got a hand to it he could not prevent it from entering the net.

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

Bishop Auckland....0

A COLIN Hunter goal sealed the points for Guiseley on Saturday when they entertained Bishop Auckland.

With Steve Hook suspended Colin Hogarth came back into the side but manfully struggled with his injury.

Player-manager Bobby Davison also sufferd some rough treatment and not just from the opposition. His young midfielder Stewart Airdrie tried an overhead clearance and his boot caught Davison full in the face.

It has been Guiseley's saving grace that even in the bad times they have created plenty of chances and this was just such a game.

Mick Morrell had the ball in the net early in the game but the effort was ruled out as the referee adjudged Davison's challenge a foul on the 'keeper.

Simon Phillips, who had an excellent game, tried his luck from long range and Morrell had a shot deflected over. Guiseley forced a series of corners as they held the upperhand.

Davison was not having the best of days failing to get any power in one shot and then not being able to get to an Airdrie cross.

Colin Hunter then gave Guiseley the lead hitting a shot as he moved in from the left. The shot hit a defender and looped over the 'keeper but no one in the Guiseley camp was complaining as they had dominated the game.

Bishop Auckland were not out of it by any means and Andrew Banks put one effort onto the bar after a mix-up between Phillips and Dickinson,.

A Phillips free-kick forced a save at the foot of the post from Steve Jones and Morrell then had a couple of chances with one shot being blocked and the other hitting the side netting.

Davison had a couple more chances but his luck was out.

In the final stages Neil Parsley had a good chance when Morrell pulled the ball back to him but he blasted his effort over the bar.

Runcorn Res..................5

Guiseley Res..................2

Suffering from calls to the first team a weakened Guiseley Reserves side slipped to their second successive defeat on Saturday.

After holding out for 15 minutes they were then overpowered by a strong Runcorn side and found themselves 3-0 down.

Craig Bower pulled a goal back before the break but on the re-start Runcorn made it 4-1 and then took it to 5-1.

They then took their foot off the gas and Andy Carlton netted from the penalty spot.

Guiseley Res..................7

Barrow Res....................1

On Easter Monday the Reserves were again well understrength but were far too good for a poor Barrow side.

Andy Carlton was a constant danger up front and although he missed a hatfull of chances he did net a hat-trick including a penalty.

Carlton had already got the ball in the net when the whistle blew for the penalty with Richard Machell - who had another excellent game - being bundled over.

The ball broke to Carlton and he rammed it home but the referee was pointing to the penalty stop so Carlton calmly stepped up to stroke the ball home.

Ben Sweet had opened the scoring from a Machell corner but then Guiseley were given a jolt when Barrow levelled.

Guiseley however pulled themselves together and further goals came as Machell produced a string of excellent corners and free-kicks.

Sweet made it 2-1 and Bower extended the lead to 3-1 before the break.

Sweet added another before Carlton stroked home the penalty.

Carlton then slid in the sixth and probably the best goal of the game came from young midfielder Phil Atkinson who produced a superb diving header after another excellent cross from Machell had caused trouble in the Barrow defence.

The Reserves have a number of games to fit in yet including a League Cup semi-final.

Emley Academy....................1

Guiseley Academy................0

In a tough Northern Youth Academy League battle leaders Emley took revenge for the only defeat inflicted on them this season when they turned the tables on Guiseley's young side.

The match started low key and with Guiseley missing several regular and experienced players they were unable to force the pace.

As the half wore on Emley increased the pressure with Bray always representing a threat.

Guiseley defended well with the back four brilliantly led by Jon Gallifant and they kept a tight rein on the home forwards.

Emley created the better chances but were unable to take advantage.

The second-half followed a similar pattern but injuries to James Elliott and Mark Pollard forced a re-shuffle. Emley were awarded a penalty on 60 minutes which was converted to take the points.

Guiseley had made them work hard for the points nd they could have taken the points themselves with late chances for Joe Howard, Greg Jowett and substitute Farnell. Rhodes and Gallifant excelled at the back for Guiseley as did Pollard and Familio up front.

The Academy are due to entertain Harrogate Town tonight, Thursday.

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