Image Credit [Cian Fox]

Guiseley AFC 2 vs 1 Brackley Town

There was late drama on Non League Day at Nethermoor Park as substitute Paul Clayton bundled home a last gasp winner for Guiseley to secure a 2-1 victory over Brackley Town.

On a blustery day in West Yorkshire, in what were tough footballing conditions, Guiseley got off to the perfect start after just 8 minutes as Kingsley James finished off a fine team move, powering a left-footed effort into the bottom corner after good build-up play from Kayode Odejayi and Alex-Ray Harvey.

Brackley almost responded immediately as Shepherd Murombedzi stung the palms of Guiseley stopper Joe Green from 25 yards, forcing in him into a good diving save. From the resulting corner, the impact of the wind, which Guiseley joint-manager Marcus Bignot described as ‘awful’ post-match, was clear to see, as Shane Byrne’s corner almost dipped in at the far post, forcing Green to tip the ball over the bar. However, the subsequent corner taken by Brackley’s recent signing Luke Fairlamb did beat the keeper this time as his set piece evaded everyone and blew into the far corner.

Brackley started to dominate the game with Shaun Jeffers hitting the post after very good work from Brackley’s Number 9 Lee Ndlovu, who looked a threat throughout the game. Jeffers went close again soon after whilst Matt Lowe, Connor Hall and Byrne also had a couple of decent chances, with Green making some good saves. It was obvious that the wind was playing a big part in the game, with the Danny Lewis, the Brackley Goalkeeper, often reaching the other end of the pitch with his kicks, whilst Guiseley were struggling to ‘get out’ with Green’s kicks often gusting back into his own half.

Lewis in the Brackley net horribly misjudged, fumbling the ball into the path of Guiseley’s Clayton who bundled the ball home to send Guiseley’s fans into raptures.

Despite the wind dropping slightly in the second half, it became a much scrappier affair with few clear-cut chances. The lively Fairlamb produced another good save from Green but apart from that both sides were a little sloppy with Guiseley fans becoming increasingly frustrated at referee John Matthews. It was a battle of attrition but Guiseley’s centre-midfield pairing of Kingsley James and former Leeds Utd youngster Alex Purver were fighting hard, making their presence felt and it was the latter that helped to provide Guiseley’s magic moment. With just a minute to go, Guiseley’s winger Will Hatfield was fouled about 40 yards from goal. Purver perfectly floated a cross in, with a huge gust of wind propelling the ball towards goal which Lewis in the Brackley net horribly misjudged, fumbling the ball into the path of Guiseley’s Clayton who bundled the ball home to send Guiseley’s fans into raptures.

Guiseley move up to 10th with the 3 points and are back in action next Saturday, again at home, to Stourbridge in the FA Cup fourth qualifying round with a precious place in the First Round Proper at stake.

Gryphon Guiseley Man of the Match – Andy Halls (CB)

Teams

Guiseley (4-4-2)
Green; Moyo, Thornton, Halls ©, Heaton; Harvey (Morrison 70), James, Purver, Hatfield; Odejayi (Clayton 83), Smith (Felix 55)

Brackley Town (4-4-2)
Lewis; Murombedzi, Dean ©, Hall, Walker G.; Lowe (Nti 75), Walker A., Byrne, Fairlamb; Ndlovu, Jeffers (Armson 68)

Attendance: 751

Will Pickworth