Guiseley pay the penalty

FOLLOWING a string of three successive defeats Guiseley it can be said have well and truly ended any remote chance they may have had of getting into the promotion play-offs.

Manager Neil Parsley is however confident that his side will not sink any lower in the league table.

"I am very optimistic we will climb the table and finish in a reasonable position," he said.

They have paid the penalty in more ways than one for failing to take their own chances in recent matches.

At Spennymoor they went down to a controversial late penalty, at Bamber Bridge they went down to a solitary penalty after missing one of their own and in their latest match on Humberside on Tuesday night they went down 3-1 after goalkeeper John Lamb had conceded a penalty.

Guiseley started the game with the wind in their favour as they sought to avenge a 2-1 home defeat by Ferriby back in October.

Striker Alan Bailey had Guiseley's first chance but he put his fifth minute effort wide. David Cooke followed suit a minute later and then Alex Nesovic headed Mark Stuart's free-kick wide in the 13th minute.

After these chances had gone begging Ferriby took the lead when John Lamb was unable to hold Ferriby's 16th minute free-kick and Gavin Knight scored.

Nesovic had another effort go wide before central defender Gary Shaw levelled for Neil Parsley's men in the 28th minute with a left foot shot from 15 yards after his initial shot was blocked.

Leading scorer Mark Stuart had an effort scrambled away in the 30th minute but Ferriby increased their lead in the 43rd minute.

Lamb was adjudged to have brought down an attacker and Steve Perrin stepped forward to strike home the spot kick.

The second-half developed into a midfield battle but 12 minutes from time Luke Cadman made the game safe for Ferriby with an excellent right foot shot from just inside the penalty area.

Saturday's game at home to Eastwood Town was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch at Nethermoor Park

Guiseley Reserves 3, Park Avenue Reserves 3

IN an oft times brutal encounter Guiseley's young side stood up to be counted and battled back from 3-1 down to share the points.

The Guiseley squad of 14 included 11 players who qualify for their youth team and they showed commendable restraint in the face of some great intimidation.

The referee never had control of this game and allowed fouls to go unchecked whilst booking players for complaining about fouls.

Guiseley went 2-0 down but then Ben Whitaker pulled a goal back after great work from the skilful Bruce Hogg.

Luke Barker sustained a rib injury and was replaced by Matt Larkins - another of Guiseley's promising bunch of youth team players.

Guiseley were disappointed to go 3-1 down to a goal which seemed yards off-side but they did not let their heads drop and battled on.

Scott Cater pulled it back to 3-2 and amazingly in the last throes of the game Guiseley got the point they fully deserved when the Avenue 'keeper totally lost his head.

Ben Whitaker chased a long ball which the 'keeper gathered. Whitaker stood his ground but the 'keeper smashed him to the floor.

Again it appeared the referee had not seen the action but he did consult his assistant. A penalty was awarded and the 'keeper was shown a yellow card much to the amazement of a crowd who thought it should have been red.

Guiseley skipper Lee Poole stepped forward to well and truly smash the penalty home in a last act which wiped out all the frustration suffered in a game which left Guiseley battered and bruised but proud of their efforts.

The following night the Reserves had to play at Ossett Town. With only three of Monday's side available they recruited young players from Thomas Danby College. They had never played under floodlights before and it was no surprise that they went down 9-1 when Ossett put out their first team.