Guiseley report no injury problems as they wait for Saturday's clash with Runcorn in the first leg of the UniBond President's Cup Final at Nethermoor Park.

Manager Bobby Davison could afford a wry smile as he said: 'For the first time I can report no injury problems going into a game. It's surprising what a cup final appearance does. However some people are going to be disappointed.'

'Obviously I have had to bring lads in due to injuries and lads like Simon Parke have done an excellent job. Mick Morrell has performed well up front, young Simon Phillips has taken his chance well and Des Hazel has turned in two impressive displays at right-back so you can say everyone is playing for their places in this two legged final.

The secondleg will be played at Runcorn on Thursday (7.30 pm),

Of the challenge against Runcorn - a side they have drawn with in two league games this season - Davison said: 'We are looking forward to it. I don't think that it is a bad thing that we are away in the second leg as we have a good record away from home.'

'We are going into the game with plenty of confidence and all the players are bubbling at the prospect of a cup final. Instead of me having to tell them when training is they have all been coming up and asking. It is amazing what a cup final does. Suddenly we have no injury problems and everyone is available. There will be competition for places everywhere.'

'If we can get something out of the game at home then I am sure we will go to Runcorn for the second leg with plenty of confidence,' said Davison.

In their two previous encounters this season Guiseley drew 1-1 at Runcorn with a goal from Andy Williams and then conceded a 2-0 advantage at home to draw 2-2. Neil Matthews scored both goals in that game.

It is ironic that Guiseley should reach the final of the President's Cup as they did not actually qualify to play in it having finished ninth in the league last season.

However, when Hyde declined the invitation to take part Guiseley were invited and they did not need a second invite.

They have progressed to the final by defeating neighbours Farsley Celtic 1-0 with a Jamie Proctor goal, Leigh 3-0 (Matthews 2 and Davison) after drawing 0-0 at home and Ashton in a two-legged semi-final winning 2-1 away with goals from Steve Hook and Neil Matthews and drawing 1-1 at home with Bobby Davison scoring.

BAMBER BRIDGE 1

GUISELEY 2

GUISELEY picked up the points at Bamber Bridge on Saturday but not without giving their manager and supporters the jitters once more as they endeavoured to throw away a 2-0 lead.

The win keeps Guiseley in the top seven of the UniBond Premier Division.

They started well against a struggling side and opened the scoring in the 27th minute.

An attack down the left saw the ball break kindly for Simon Phillips and he cut inside to drive a right foot shot into the net via the far post.

It was his first strike for the senior team.

Guiseley held their lead until the break and then just two minutes into the second-half they scored again.

This move also stemmed from the left hand side and Colin Hunter's cross was confidently side-footed home by Neil Matthews for his 23rd strike of the season.

Guiseley however then became complacent and allowed the home side back into the game.

The Lancashire outfit took advantage to pull a goal back just after the hour.

A scramble in the Guiseley penalty area saw a shot charged down and 'keeper Steve Dickinson then parried two efforts before Bamber scored at the fourth attempt through Darren Wilson who forced the ball in from the six yard line.

GUISELEY RESERVES 5

SOUTHPORT 0

THE title challenge from Vauxhall Conference club Southport never materialised in this game and Guiseley supporters were left wondering how they had got into a challenging position at all after they left 'keeper Lee Darnborough with not a shot to save.

That was despite parading much vaunted striker Andy Whittaker in the No 9 shirt - a man who has scored goals at all levels and once exchanged clubs for a big fee. The former Barrow striker got no change out of in form central defenders Simon Gough and Matt Flanagan.

The spirit of this Guiseley team carries them through and they were determined to notch another win in their quest for the Bolton Alliance title.

Greg Watts hit the bar with an early volley and then an inviting chance fell to David Hunter but he was unable to reach it. A further chance was created by Michael Jordan but Richard Dyson's header from his cross was just wide.

It was Jordan himself who opened the scoring as he made an excellent run before

rifling the ball in from 18 yards. His celebratory cartwheel was certainly an improvement on that of Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink but Jordan was not expecting it to impress first team boss Bobby Davision.

'He's told me to cut the clebrating out,' said Michael.

That 20th minute strike was followed by a second goal eight minutes later after Matt Flanagan rammed home a penalty.

Greg Watts made it 3-0 after Richard Dyson had failed to find the net and then Jordan was stretchered off with ligament damage after a bad tackle.

Watts then produced an excellent solo goal to keep the goal hungry crowd happy walking the ball into the net in the 85th minute.

Guiseley then notched their fifth when the 'keeper was put off by David Hunter's challenge and substitute Julian Wilkes stepped up to gleefully slam the ball home and take the side's goal tally to 134 in 32 games with 33 against.

Victory for Guiseley at Accrington Stanley on Monday would give them the title leaving them with just lowly Barrow to play at home.

After their 5-2 success over Pool in the Wharfedale Challenge Cup semi-final last Thursday Guiseley Reserves will now play Rawdon Old Boys in the final at Guiseley on Wednesday, April 29, kicking-off at 7.30 pm.

Richard Dyson leads the Reserves' scoring chart with 21 goals while Wharfedale FA Cup tied Jordan has 17 and broken ankle victim Craig Bowers 16. Julian Wilkes and Lee Poole, have given valuable support with 12 each but goals have come from 20 players in all.

Perhaps most pleasing for Guiseley is that 10 players who started out with the Reserves this season have made their way through to the first team.

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