Avenue next up as Guiseley step up pursuit of title

A strangely low-key game resulted in Guiseley beating FC United of Manchester to bring the UniBond League Premier Division title race nicely to the boil.

FC United were one of the pre-season favourites but they have turned in a season of mid-table mediocrity, their first since being formed by a disenfranchised splinter group of Old Trafford supporters.

It is Guiseley who have lasted the pace and the win, in a midday kick-off at Nethermoor, put them level on points with local rivals Bradford Park Avenue at the summit ahead of their meeting at Horsfall Stadium tomorrow night.

Guiseley will be in good spirits because yesterday’s victory was as straightforward as could be expected. There was little doubt about the outcome from the moment the home side broke the deadlock.

That first goal came from the penalty spot as early as the tenth minute. Lions striker Jamie Walshaw went on a run into the box but was felled by a challenge from behind. He stood up to fire home the penalty himself.

A Walshaw header from Jez Fitzgerald’s cross was just saved and a shot by Adam Muller blocked as Guiseley looked to add to their lead.

Between those chances, experienced midfielder Chris Holland limped off to be replaced by Matty Young.

After the interval, Walshaw headed narrowly wide following a Young cross and put a later shot over.

The game was sealed on the hour mark when the Lions’ perseverance was finally rewarded.

The initial attempt was a shot from midfielder David Briggs that was parried by United’s keeper. Recent signing Simon Johnson was first to the rebound and the former Leeds United youth striker netted.

That was Johnson’s last part in the game as Guiseley boss Steve Kittrick then substituted him. That allowed Stuart Rudd a run-out against one of his former clubs.

Kittrick said: “I’m very pleased with the win and I thought it was deserved. It was a very good, solid, professional performance from us.

*** “It was as much as we could have done and going into tonight was very much on our mind from the minute the final whistle sounded. We are all looking forward to this one and it will be a good game.

“Chrissy (Holland) might be the only doubt. He took a knock on an already troublesome hamstring so I can’t see him being available but everyone else should be okay.”

Hit and miss for clubs on the road There were contrasting fortunes for the two local clubs in the Kool Sport Northern Counties East League Premier Division as Thackley won 3-0 away from home but Liversedge lost on their travels by exactly the same scoreline.

Fourth-placed THACKLEY returned from Long Eaton United with all three points from their victory but they had to wait a while to be sure as they hit two of their goals in stoppage time.

The M brigade combined to fashion their best first-half chance. A Matt Morgan cross was headed back by Nicky Matthews to Matt Mathers but his shot went over the target.

The sides reached the break goalless despite two good chances for the hosts’ Martin Bowles.

Thackley eventually broke the deadlock in the 59th minute when Morgan’s cross was turned in at close range by Matthews.

Aaron Brady had chances for Long Eaton either side of that strike, the second of which was cleared off the line by Andy King.

The three minutes of stoppage time were when Thackley finally cut loose. First Andy Howland made a break and put the ball into the area. The home keeper blasted his clearance at Thackley skipper Ross Daly and, when the ball dropped after hitting his chest, he stabbed it into the net.

A minute later it was Matthews who made the break and cut the ball back for Howland to slot in by the post.

The win did not lift Thackley up a place because Rainworth MW, the club directly above them, were the victors over LIVERSEDGE, who were never in the game with the home side being far too strong.

Craig Marshall fired Rainworth into a fourth-minute lead after slipping his marker and lashing in a shot on the turn. Veteran striker Neil Grayson added the second goal with a well-taken overhead kick.

Substitute Messiah McDonald wrapped up the scoring in the 75th minute after breaking from the halfway line.

Sedge spokesman John Hewitt said: “We didn’t create many chances. They are a very good side and that is reflected by their position in the league.

“Some people felt their third goal was offside but it wouldn’t have made any difference at all.”

Town suffer setback with rare defeat Brighouse TOWN held on to top spot in Kool Sport Northern Counties East League Division One by the skin of their teeth after suffering a narrow defeat at home to Pontefract Collieries.

The loss put an end to Town’s 14-match unbeaten run, 13 of which had been victories as they took 40 points from a possible 42.

The upward surge came to a shuddering halt as Sean Hammonds claimed the only goal of the game just after the half-hour mark.

It leaves Brighouse just a point clear of Tadcaster Albion, who enjoyed a 4-0 victory at home to struggling ECCLESHILL UNITED as a hat-trick from Mark Braithwaite paved the way.

Braithwaite bagged a brace during a seven-minute spell in the first half and completed his treble in the 52nd minute.

Darren Brandon netted the fourth goal seven minutes from time to leave the Eagles in the bottom two.

Tadcaster must now be rated as clear favourites for the title as they have three games in hand over Brighouse.

Third-placed Leeds Carnegie also suffered a rare defeat and that kept them four points behind Tadcaster, having played the same number of games.

Town have just three matches remaining and their mission must be to bank a maximum nine points to give themselves the best possible chance of winning the championship.