Guiseley 2

BLYTH SPARTANS 1

GUISELEY looked a little laboured in this win over basement strugglers Blyth Spartans but it was no wonder when it was revealed that five of the players were struggling to overcome the flu bug and niggling injuries.

Some may have thought Guiseley got out of jail coming back from 1-0 down to take the points but their application eventually paid off. Blyth are fighting for their lives - testified by their five bookings - and they battled throughout. Their flourescent orange strip brightened up the afternoon and possibly had the Guiseley defence dazzled as they nipped in for the first goal on 13 minutes.

Blyth had forced the first corner - cleared by the ever busy Andy Williams - and then 'keeper James Shutt was down to smother the ball when Wayne Edgecumbe put Richie Pitt through.

Tony Agana - always trying to find a way through with some deft flicks and turns - was brought down by Andy Martin but Williams' free-kick was headed clear.

Guiseley created a good chance when Steve Hook started a move involving Simon Parke - being watched by Halifax Town and Doncaster Rovers - and David Cooke whose ball in just evaded the sliding Agana.

Another good move involving Hook, Parsley,Agana, Williams, Parke and Parsley again saw Lee Poole pushed off the ball at the crucial moment.

Benn Gallagher forced a save from the Blyth 'keeper but then Blyth rocked Guiseley when Edgecumbe got away and hit his shot with enough force for the diving Shutt only to be able to help it on its way into the net - albeit agonisingly slowly.

Guiseley almost went 2-0 down when the ball fell for Steve Stewart but Parsley cleared.

Lee Poole became the first of eight names to go in referee Jeremy Smith's book when he spoke out of turn.

An overhead kick by Parke was well off target but Guiseley scored from their first corner of the game in the 39th minute. Poole's kick was headed on to the far post by Williams and lurking there was young midfielder Andy Shuttleworth who firmly headed home.

Blyth left-back Maurice Hilton was then booked for a foul on Cooke and his misdemeanour was to prove even more costly. Parsley's free-kick from the right touchline close to half-way was headed down by Parke into the path of Agana who slid the ball home in the 42nd minute.

Before the half closed Blyth's Stewart was booked.

At the start of the second-half a Steve Hook free-kick raked wide as Guiseley strove to increase their lead but the football never matched the quality of that they played at Emley on Boxing Day Monday.

Paul Simmons became the fourth name in the book and Neil Parsley kept Mr Smith's pencil in action as he too spoke out of turn.

Shutt saved from Stewart and then Benn Gallagher used his body to block a close range effort on the line with Shutt beaten.

Poole wasted a couple of chances putting both efforts over the bar and then referee Smith raised the ire of the crowd by booking Parke for going in on the 'keeper as he attempted to win the ball. Blyth 'keeper Terry Burke appeared to have a part in getting Parke booked and he received an ironic round of applause from Parke as the big striker ran back.

Parke tried to provide the right answer but his shot from outside the area went just wide.

Blyth's Nicky Evans and Richie Pitt took the bookings tally to eight and Pitt was lucky to escape the red card when he fouled Hook. Pitt was starting to lose it and his manager did the right thing in subbing him.

Poole had another chance to cement Guiseley's lead but his effort was palmed over by Burke.

In the dying minutes Simon Ireland replaced Shuttleworth and Cooke produced Guiseley's last effort but it was easily taken by the 'keeper.

Guiseley.- Shutt; Parsley, Hook, Hogarth, Gallagher; Cooke, Poole, Williams, Shuttleworth (Ireland 88 mins); Agana, Parke. Subs not used - Sanders, Bulgin.

GOALS

Guiseley's leading scorer Simon Parke has netted 22 goals in 27 appearances. Former Sheffield United striker Tony Agana is next in line with nine but his appearances have been restricted by injury, so much so that Parke has been partnered by Craig Bower, Mick Morrell and Bobby Davison.

Other scorers are: Lee Poole 4, Benn Gallagher 3, Andy Shuttleworth 3, Andy Williams 2, own goals 2, Craig Bower, Simon Ireland, Simon Phillips, Matt Daly, Bobby Davison, Des Hazel, Stefan Zoll, Paul Bulgin and Damien Stewart 1.

In an injury hit season Guiseley have now played 32 games and striker Simon Parke has made most appearances with 27 while midfielder Lee Poole has made 25 starts and two substitute appearances. They are closely followed by midfielder Andy Williams and goalkeeper James Shutt with 26 starts and defender Steve Sanders with 22 starts and four substitute appearances. Veteran defender Colin Hogarth has made 24 starts and 1 substitute appearance while James Nettleton has made 24 appearances and Benn Gallagher 23 starts and 1 substitute appearance. Tony Agana has made 20 appearances.

Long term injuries have restricted Neil Parsley to 13 appearances, Simon Phillips to 16 starts and two substitute appearances, Steve Hook to 16 starts and 2 substitute appearances, Des Hazel to 13 starts and 1 substitute appearance and Simon Ireland to 12 starts and two susbstitute appearances.

Manager Bobby Davison has put himself in the starting line-up on just five occasions.

l On Saturday Guiseley entertain Hucknall Town (3 pm) and the Reserves travel to Runcorn for an 11 am kick-off. The following Saturday Guiseley travel to Marine for the FA Trophy third round tie.

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