Advantage Guiseley in play-off semi-final as Lawlor pounces

GUISELEY remain very much in the hunt for promotion after edging a tight Vanarama North play-off semi-final first leg with a goal from Jake Lawlor at a tense Nethermoor.

The home side went straight on the attack and Danny Hall headed narrowly wide from a corner.

The Lions’ makeshift defence was looking strong and was quick to snuff out the danger from Mike Barnes, who had a shot at goal well blocked.

At the other end, Oli Johnson curled a shot from the edge of the area well wide but was a lot closer with another effort minutes later.

Fylde skipper Brad Barnes picked up a yellow card for a foul on Gavin Rothery as the Lions began to gain the initiative. However, Steve Drench was tested for the first time when he pushed away Danny Rowe’s shot.

The breakthrough came just after the half-hour when Lawlor rose to meet Johnson’s cross and headed past Coasters’ keeper Ben Hinchliffe.

Five minutes before the break Fylde appealed for a hand ball in the Guiseley area but the referee wasn’t interested.

Dave Challinor had words of encouragement for his Fylde players during the interval and they came out of the blocks quickly at the start of the second half. Drench was forced to tip a shot from Danny Lloyd over the bar at full stretch.

The home side had a great chance to double their advantage in the 52nd minute but a Wayne Brooksby shot was parried by Hinchliffe. Adam Boyes was first to the loose ball but his effort was blocked.

There was some serious defending needed by the Lions’ rearguard as runners-up Fylde went in search of an equaliser. Drench foiled Rowe with a superb save and the defence cleared before Lloyd could pounce on the rebound.

Former Guiseley loanee Josh Wilson had a header on target that Danny Boshell cleared off the line and Drench’s positioning was spot on when Fylde substitute Richie Allen hit a good shot on the turn from the edge of the area.

Brooksby had a low shot well saved by Hinchliffe after a good breakaway in stoppage time but Guiseley had to settle for their slender advantage.