ASHTON UNITED 1

Guiseley 2

GUISELEY were well pleased to score from two set pieces in this first leg President's Cup semi-final at Ashton but must have been disappointed with the number of one-on-one situations that failed to produce an avalanche of goals.

Although Ashton were always dangerous with the ferociousness of their dead ball kicks Guiseley held the upperhand throughout and should have had more than two goals to celebrate right-back Peter Atkinson's 500th game forthe side.

Atkinson, captain for the night in honour of his milestone, had a good game in a defence which was kept at full stretch but by and large managed to keep Ashton well away from the danger zone.

Ashton were left to shoot from distance but they proved to have some powerful dead ball kickers and always posed a threat from such situations.

Guiseley again played some excellent football in trying conditions and got their reward through a 26th minute Neil Matthews penalty - after the striker had been pushed - and from a superb free-kick by central defender Steve Hook.

The 30 yard effort was not one of Hook's usual free-kicks hammered low and hard. This time he showed a finesse not expected of a central defender and the ball sailed into the top corner of the net.

To say he was delighted with the end result was an understatement as he careered away to celebrate in style.

Manager Bobby Davison restored Steve Dickinson in goal after his three match suspension but fellow 'bad boy' Paul Bottomley was left sitting on the bench having served his suspension as Simon Parke retained his place at the heart of the defence after some sterling shows of late. Indeed Parke was

adjudged Man-of-the-Match by the match sponsor's justifying his manager's faith in him.

After starting out as a striker with Guiseley's first team last season Parke has featured mainly in midfield this season as the club sought to provide more steel in the middle. In Bottomley's absence the versatile Parke has shown a fine appetite for the game in all its aspects and he was unfortunate to concede the late penalty which put Ashton back into the tie.

John Brown stepped up to fire the penalty past Dickinson in the 75th minute and this gave his side new heart. Dickinson had to then pull off a superb one-handed save and had to dive at the feet of substitute John Maguire to protect his side's lead.

A lead they take into the second leg at Nethermoor Park on Tuesday, March 24.

LEIGH RMI 0

GUISELEY 0

FOR a 0-0 draw this was a pretty entertaining game and only the conditions - high winds and heavy ground - prevented goals as Bobby Davison's boys stretched their unbeaten run to four games under his managership. It was a fine effort by Guiseley who had six regulars missing.

Manager Bobby Davison chose to sit this one out and take a look at his players from the sidelines. This gave a striking role to Mick Morrell but he was fairly subdued.

With Steve Dickinson and Paul Bottomley still suspended Nigel Muttick continued in goal and Simon Parke continued with his defensive role. The defence however had further problems with left-back Colin Hogarth suffering a groin strain and with Paul Ryan suffering the effects of a road accident it was left to reserve team player Simon Phillips to take the left-back role.

This he did with aplomb settling in quickly and doing the simple things right.

Des Hazel has still not had his international clearance reversed so Andy Williams bore the mantle in midfield along with Neil Parsley whilst youngsters Lee Elam and Colin Hunter were given free rein.

Elam again had an impressive game while Hunter is fighting his way back to fitness but he demonstrated his shooting talent with an excellent effort which hit the bar.

This was the third meeting between the clubs in 11 days and with Guiseley having won the previous two Leigh were hoping to settle a score but the much changed Guiseley outfit buckled down to work hard in very trying weather conditions.

They attacked as a unit and defended as a unit and all in all had the upperhand although Leigh had their moments.

Guiseley produced some neat football with excellent support play and many moves involved five or more players.

Hunter's effort surprised Felgate in the 10th minute but a combination of the bar and the 'keeper's fingertips kept the effort out.

Steve Hook was a tower of strength in the Guiseley defence stopping a number of Leigh raids while right-back Peter Atkinson had one of his better games tracking all over the pitch to snuff out any danger.

Peter Smyth twice shot wide for Leigh whilst Ian Brady shot high over the bar when he could have done much better.

From a Guiseley corner by Elam Mick Morrell headed over while at the other end Muttick was out to block a Chris Shaw effort with his body.

Elam had a shot blocked and Morrell's header was taken by the 'keeper as the half drew to a close.

In the second-half an excellent run by Hunter was halted in the penalty area and although Leigh came into the ascendency for a while Guiseley's hard work paid dividends and they regained the upperhand.

Jamie Procter replaced Colin Hunter in the 70th minute and he set Elam away but his cross into the six yard box saw Neil Matthews blaze the ball over the bar. A free-kick by Leigh's Mick Wallace was tipped over by Muttick for a corner which was then headed out from under the bar by Simon Parke.

Phillips made a rare mistake to give Leigh possession but a good tackle by Hook saved the day.

In the 88th minute Elam was replaced by Rowland Egege with Guiseley just about having time to mount one last attack but Procter's long range angled affort raced across thge face of the goal.

Guiseley gave an impressive display to prevent Leigh from scoring for only the fourth time this season. Leigh will no doubt be glad to see the back of Guiseley who in three games in 11 days have beaten them twice and drawn once.

l On Saturday Guiseley entertain Hyde United (3 pm). The Reserves are without a game.

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