FC Halifax Town 1, Guiseley 0 (after extra time)

Guiseley lost their grip on the West Riding County Cup when they came up against neighbours  FC Halifax Town in tonight’s final at Valley Parade.

The Lions were the holders and looking for a third successive crown but they were up against their Nemesis this season in the shape of the Shaymen, who edged another close game in the fifth meeting of the clubs during the campaign.

Halifax were the first to threaten in the goalless first half but Matty Pearson fired over from distance, and they came even closer when Adriano Moke skipped past two Guiseley men and sent in a shot that cannoned back off Steve Drench’s crossbar.

The Lions’ first effort came from Frenchman Sebastian Carole. The midfielder struck a good shot from outside the area but Town’s keeper Phil Senior was equal to it.

Gareth Seddon wasted a good opportunity for Halifax before Guiseley’s Matt Wilson got a firm header onto a free-kick from Andy Holdsworth but planted it too close to Senior.

A good break by the Lions saw Phil Marsh in a shooting position but his effort, aimed at the top corner, flew over the angle of the goal frame.

Halifax responded with a foray of their own but man of the match Moke fired wide from just outside the area.

The Shaymen really should have taken the lead before the break when a bad back-pass was seized upon by Seddon, who rounded Drench but saw his shot ricochet off both posts before being cleared.

There were chances after the interval, with James Walshaw and Gavin Rothery having the best for the Lions, both managers making changes as the half wore on.

Town substitutes John Messer, who squandered a very good opportunity, and Alex Johnson, into injury time, were close to finding a late winner in normal time.

The Shaymen finally broke the deadlock just before the end of the first half of extra-time when Seddon expertly curled a shot around Drench into the top corner.

They closed the game out in the remaining 15 minutes.