Farsley Celtic 3 Guiseley 0

GUISELEY followed up their fine 2-1 win at high riding Matlock Town on Saturday with yet another West Riding County Cup debacle.

On Tuesday they lost 3-0 at Throstle Nest to neighbours Farsley Celtic on a bitterley cold night with a performance that did little to warm or cheer their supporters.

In a dreadfully small crowd of 94 - mostly from Guiseley - Neil Parsley's side - albeit without a number of regular players - gave a very poor performance.

All action full-back Peter Atkinson was tearing his hair out at the ineptitude of some of his colleagues who did not seem to value the importance of a clash with their neighbours be it in league, FA competition or County Cup.

Guiseley have now got into a bad habit of losing to neighbours they once ruled the roost over.

As the crowd huddled together in little groups the players emerged - some with gloves - but it was a very low key first-half more akin to a training run out than a real soccer match.

The much understrength Guiseley side lacked the presence of new signings Stewart Airdrie and Alan Bailey as well as Dave Henry, Clive Freeman, goalkeeper Chris Hill and Simon Trevitt as well as long term injury victims Ryan Senior, Ben Thackwray and James Nettleton.

Leading scorer Mark Stuart lined up at left-back and Gary Shaw shared the central defensive duties with young newcomer Nathan Hay who is starting to make his mark in the side.

After a good game for the Reserves at the weekend young midfielder Gary Birchall was given another run but his game ended after 45 mninutes when he sustained a badly gashed ankle.

In the early stages Mark Stuart had a good run and shot but his effort was palmed away by Liam Sutcliffe. James Shutt then saved with his legs from former Guiseley striker Ian Blackstone at the other end. Shutt was called into action to parry another effort and Gary Shaw did well to keep the rebound out by the post.

There were few constructive moves from either sider but Farsley took the lead after 34 minutes when Mick Midwood tapped the ball in after Scott Bairstow had headed the ball down.

Amjad Iqbal then shot straight at Shutt before Guiseley attacked and Kevin Newhouse had a great effort palmed away by Sutcliffe.

Lee Reilly replaced Birchall at the break but this meant an even more lightweight attack and Celtic were able to out muscle Guiseley's every move.

Blackstone nodded in Midwood's cross for Celtic's second goal in the 56th minute and the former York City striker was instrumental in Celtic's third goal.

The normally placid David Cooke pushed the big man and conceded a penalty which Midwood rifled in for a 3-0 lead.

Guiseley now looked a dispirited side - a mere shadow of the one that recorded a fine win at Matlock on Saturday.

Matlock Town 1 Guiseley 2

THIS game marked the return of Stewart Airdrie to the Guiseley fold. He started his loan period from Hednesford on a damp and cold day in Derbyshire.

He got in a good early cross which was cleared for a corner. It was Matlock however who took the lead in the 29th minute with a goal from Danny Holland which had a suspicion of off-side. Mark Stuart went close before the break but it remained 1-0 to the hosts.

In the second-half Dave Henry weaved his magic and he went close in the 51st minute but the 'keeper saved with his legs.

David Cooke then had a header saved before Henry hit the bar with a header and Cooke followed up but his effort was scrambled away.

In the 69th minute Airdrie fired over the bar but Stuart was there to net from a Richard Chattoe cross in the 70th minute.

All square and all to play for and Guiseley continued to press forward. Henry had a one-on-one but the 'keeper saved with his legs. Henry however had another chance set up by Peter Atkinson and this time he made no mistake to give Guiseley the lead and ultimately the points.

l On Saturday Guiseley entertain Kidsgrove and then on Monday entertain Droylsden in the League Chairman's Cup (7.45 pm).