Walshaw strike seals Guiseley win (From Ilkley Gazette)

Walshaw strikes late at Worcester to end promotion-chasing Guiseley's lean spell

1:41pm Sunday 24th February 2013 in Sport By Ian Whiting

Worcester 0 Guiseley 1

A late goal from James Walshaw proved to be the winner at Worcester City but more importantly it snapped Guiseley out of a run of three games without a win.

The Lions are second in the Blue Square Bet North Division and still have a seven-point cushion over third placed Brackley Town who visit Nethermoor next Saturday.

Two draws and a defeat from the previous three league games had dented Guiseley’s confidence and although it was yet another nervy and frustrating afternoon for Steve Kittrick’s men they deserved the three points.

They created most of the chances in the goalless first half.

The visitors were doing most of the running and had three presentable opportunities but Lions keeper Steve Drench was tested by Danny Glover.

Walshaw was denied twice in the first half and he even appeared to have rounded Worcester keeper Glyn Thompson early in the second half but once again the stopper got the better of the Lions’ forward.

They kept chipping away and asking questions of the home defence and, finally, they unlocked it. With a little under two minutes remaining Walshaw wriggled free to get goal side of his marker and he drilled a shot past Thompson.

There were five minutes of time added on during which the home side forced a set piece which led to pinball in the Guiseley area and the ball struck a post before Drench gratefully snatched it.

The relief was evident on the faces of the Guiseley players and coaching staff when the whistle went seconds later.

Kittrick said, “James Walshaw was persistently at their defence, he had a good game but he was due one.

“It’s all or nothing from Wally and this time it was everything and he has deserved that goal.

“We had played very well in the first half and we just said to the lads at half time ‘keep it going, do what we are doing’ and it is important that we are the first team to score.”