Guiseley 2

LEIGH RMI 0

BOBBY Davison's first strike of the season set his side on the victory trail as they defeated second placed Leigh in a cracking encounter at Nethermoor.

Davison had missed a hatful of chances in the mid-week win over Worksop Town but he put all that behind him as his side took on and beat Leigh.

The visitors arrived with Neil Matthews, last season's leading scorer for Guiseley, in their ranks but he was generally kept quiet by the marshalling of right-back Des Hazel. Guiseley were not left to rue his departure as his work rate failed to match that of this fired up Guiseley side.

Davison has found his ideal partner in Simon Parke who has served the club in midfield and the centre of defence but prefers a role up front.

The big striker is certainly enjoying his role with five goals to his name and with Benn Gallagher providing some excellent crosses things are starting to happen up front for Davison's men.

Gallagher, the former Manchester City reserve, has worked his way into the side as the Guiseley back four has been revolutionised. With a central defender of the quality of Simon Trevitt out injured, fellow defender Steve Hook sidelined with illness and young replacement Simon Phillips sustaining a knee injury it was brave man who left out long serving full-back Peter Atkinson.

But Davison is nothing if not brave and his reshaped back four with Des Hazel at

right-back, Colin Hogarth moving into the middle to partner former Bradford City youngster Jamie Nettleton and Gallagher at left-back has rewarded him well.

Nettleton made a good covering tackle early in the game as Guiseley strove to gain the ascendency.

Neil Matthews was forced wide to shoot into the side netting and Eric Rostron got a shot in which Steve Dickinson took easily.

Davison went close for Guiseley in the 23rd minute when with his back to goal he received the ball from Andy Williams and chipped it onto the roof of the net.

Guiseley's leading scorer Lee Elam shot just wide of the far post as the sides battled for supremacy.

Six minutes into the second-half and Guiseley went ahead. A long ball forward by Hazel was volleyed home by Davison as he broke his seasonal duck.

Guiseley forced a series of corners before Dickinson was forced to make a good save from Rostron.

Guiseley sealed victory when Colin Hunter latched onto a pass from hard-working midfielder Rowland Egege and skipped through two challenges to drive his shot past former Bolton Wanderers 'keeper Dave Felgate from ten yards.

It was the second time Hunter had found the net this season and judging by the celebration it was a moment he savoured.

After what was regarded as a poor start with only one win from six games Guiseley have turned things round with three successive wins and Davison is a happy man.

He has tried to introduce new ideas and as he has said if you don't get the results the players start to think they are the wrong ideas. Davison has however persisted and his side is now taking shape and producing the goods.

Young players have come into the side and grabbed their chance with the likes of Lee Elam and Rowland Egege improving with every game.

Guiseley.- Dickinson; Hazel (Atkinson 79 minutes), Hogarth, Nettleton, Gallagher; Egege, Elam, Williams, Hunter; Davison (Morrell 83 minutes), Parke. Subs not used - Airdrie.

Guiseley were due at Eastwood Town in the League President's Cup on Wednesday night and on Saturday visit Accrington Stanley. Next Tuesday they entertain Spennymoor (7.30 pm).

As is the way Guiseley have been thrown an FA Cup tie to savour when the second qualifying round takes place on October 3.

They have been drawn to visit Northern Counties East League side Thackley - a team now managed jointly by Guiseley's former assistant manager Greg Abbott and former reserve team manager Brendan Hudson.

The Thackley side also includes six players who have pulled on the Guiseley shirt in Abbott, Stuart Taylor, Andy Carlton, David Hunter, Paul Ryan and Dave Elvidge. The side also includes Otley's Paul Newsome.

Thackley won the right to a place in the second qualifying round by defeating Bacup Borough 2-0 on Saturday with goals from Taylor and Carlton.

In the UniBond League Challenge Cup Guiseley have been drawn at Spennymoor in the scond round.

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