VANARAMA National League Guiseley won their derby by a slender 3-2 margin against their National North neighbours Bradford Park Avenue in an entertaining game for a sparse crowd at Horsfall Stadium.

Avenue’s newly-signed young goalkeeper Dan Eccles had to make a fine save to palm a Nicky Clee free-kick around his post.

However, it wasn’t too long before the 19-year-old was beaten, Michael Rankine being superbly picked out by Adam Boyes, who netted a firm header.

Avenue had the ball in the net, only to be denied by an offside flag, and created a chance for Chris Sharp before equalising.

Just after the half-hour, Guiseley keeper Ed Willynski had done well to deny a fizzing angled drive from Ben McKenna but at the expense of a corner.

From that flag-kick, Sharp pounced on a loose ball in the area and rifled it home to restore parity before the break. The first of the substitutions was made by Avenue during the interval, with Nicky Boshell replacing Sanchez Payne.

On an overcast but humid afternoon, it was hard graft for the players, and both managers made many changes in the second half but the game remained keen and Guiseley edged ahead again.

It was a set-piece that undid the home defence as Will Wells headed home Adam Smith’s corner.

Ryan Jones was in the Bradford goal by then and he was beaten again minutes later when, having made a good block to deny Boyes, the keeper was helpless as Devonte Morton stabbed the ball in.

More substitutions and chances followed for both sides, and Boshell slotted in against his old club late on after great work from fellow sub Jack Ryan.

Bradford boss Alex Meechan said: “It was a tough game but that’s just what you want at this stage and I’m happy that all the players have had a really good workout.

“Obviously I’m not happy that we haven’t won but I’m listening to what the lads are telling me and they’ve got valuable time on the pitch.

"The defending isn’t going to be the best when you’re making so many changes in a game but we needed to involve all of the players.”

His opposite number Mark Bower was happy with the result and was complimentary about the hosts.

It had been a hectic weekend for the Lions’ boss as his side had entertained Leeds United on Friday night and lost 4-3.

Bower said: “I thought it was a good game and I’m delighted to get a win against a very good Avenue side.

“They have some quality players and are playing well as a team. I hope they have a good season but from our point of view to win a game like that is very positive, and we ended with six players from our academy on the pitch.

“I was pleased with how well they did, Devonte is one of them and showed great desire to get on the end of that to score. It’s been a difficult weekend in terms of organisation but a very worthwhile exercise.

“A lot of the players have got a valuable 90 minutes under their belts which they wouldn’t have had otherwise and some have even got 135 minutes.”

There was another derby friendly on Friday as Silsden hosted Albion Sports, with the visitors running out 2-1 winners. Danny Facey bagged a brace for Albion before Leon Smith halved the deficit.

Saturday was also busy for the local semi-pro clubs.

Farsley Celtic continued their winning pre-season with a 3-2 victory at Yorkshire Amateur.

Early goals from Peter Davidson and Paddy Miller put the Celts in control, and Paul Walker added to that in the second half before the hosts hit back.

The Celts are back in action tonight at Garforth Town.

Eccleshill United snatched a 3-2 win at home against a Curzon Ashton XI as Adam Turner put them in front for the first time late on.

The visitors opened the scoring before Luke Harrop levelled, and Mark Trueman fired in a second equaliser after the break.

There was also a home win for Liversedge as they edged out Mossley 4-3 with goals from Vaughan Redford, Joe Walton, Steve Wales and Jaz Donaldson.

Thackley won at Northern League outfit Stokesley.

The Dennyboys returned from North Yorkshire with a 2-0 win courtesy of second-half goals from Ryan Farrell and Daniel Broadband.

There was no joy for Campion as they lost 2-0 to Beeston.