Guiseley straight back in old routine after ten-day break (From Ilkley Gazette)

Guiseley straight back in old routine after ten-day break

5:40pm Sunday 10th February 2013 in Sport By Ian Whiting

Guiseley 2 Boston United 1

Guiseley had to endure a nervous ending despite a commanding second-half display but they held on for a deserved victory against old foes Boston in their first game for ten days.

The Lions were sitting on a comfortable two-goal lead but a contentious free-kick gifted the visitors a foothold in the game. However the victory was sweet and it was as much as Steve Kittrick’s players could do to make the most of leaders Chester not having a fixture.

The win cut the gap at the top to 14 points and the Lions still have four games in hand.

The game started at a blistering pace, with James Walshaw forcing a corner from the first attack. Andy Pearson connected with Andy Holdsworth’s flag-kick to net with a looping header – all inside the first minute.

The first half was an even affair with Walshaw, Kevin Holsgrove and Wayne Brooksby all threatening for the home side. However, Boston’s Marc Newsham, Ben Milnes and former Bantams player Spencer Weir-Daley were keeping home keeper Steven Drench on his toes.

Guiseley dominated the second half, with diagonal balls and slide-rule through balls being eagerly latched on to by the lively front three. It was a case of when, not if, Guiseley increased their lead and it was Walshaw who eventually added the second.

His header crashed off the underside of the bar and bounced out but assistant referee Jane Simms’ flag signalled that the ball had crossed the line as the Boston defence attempted to play on.

Five minutes from time Pilgrims’ substitute Jordan Smith went down under a challenge from Danny Ellis, who insisted that he had made no contact. Milnes dispatched the free-kick from 25 yards past a static Guiseley defence.

Kittrick said: “I thought we created enough chances to win the game several times over. We have a very good defence and, in Steve Drench, the best keeper in the league and that’s what they are there for.

“It was good to get a game in because we hadn’t played for ten days. We hadn’t even been on grass in that time, we had been training on Astroturf and no matter how good these third generation pitches are these days it’s not like the real thing.