Guiseley...................0

BISHOP AUCKLAND...3

GUISELEY witnessed all sides of the refereeing coin when their young 'keeper John Stancliffe was sent off in Tuesday night's 3-0 home defeat by Bishop Auckland.

At Leek on Saturday the home 'keeper only got a yellow card when he dragged down Tony Agana and in the reserves' game at Ashton the home 'keeper twice conceded penalties but never even got a booking.

Bishops were a fast raiding side who played some incisive football and in the opening half Guiseley were matching them but were unable to create any real chances apart form when Simon Parke hit the post.

Andy Shaw netted a hat-trick for the visitors with his second coming from the penalty spot after Stancliffe - a former trainee with Scarborough - was adjudged to have hauled down Danny Mellanby on the slippery surface.

It was a sad walk to the tunnel for the youngster whose place was taken in goal by substitute Steve Hook - normally a central defender.

Benn Gallagher was sacrificied to allow Hook to come on and for Guiseley's ten men it was an uphill battle.

Parke and Simon Ireland continually chased and tried to create something but the spirit seemed to have died with Stancliffe's dismissal.

With reserve 'keeper Nigel Muttick due to go on holiday and Stancliffe's suspension imminent the team is now plunged into a 'keeper crisis.

Mid-way through the first-half Shaw had opened the scoring when he stabbed the ball home from close range.

The second came from the spot and Shaw completed his hat-trick in unjury time.

LEEK TOWN.........2

GUISELEY.............2

Guiseley new boy Tony Agana scored on his debut as the side gained a share of the spoils at his old club Leek Town on Saturday.

The UniBond League got off to a start after all the threats and counter threats by the FA over the league's refusal to accept Barrow into membership- a matter which will hopefully be resolved at a special meeting on Sunday.

What a feast these two sides served up. Guiseley paraded new boys Simon Ireland (midfield), Steve Sanders (right-back) and John Stancliffe (goal) in this opening day game and although the defence - understandably with so many changes - looked a little nervy at times it was a very promising display.

All four goals came in the first-half with the second spoiled by the torrential rain, thunder and lightening which alternated with the sunshine to make it a bizarre day.

Leek took an 18th minute lead through Gareth Davies, who slid the ball home after Stancliffe - son of former Sheffield United player Paul Stancliffe - had blocked Callan's shot. Stancliffe - a former Scarborough YTS player- grew in confidence as the game went on.

In the 25th minute last season's leading scorer Simon Parke levelled via a deflection after Benn Gallagher had set up the chance.

Parke is making a habit of scoring on the opening day of the season against clubs relegated from the Conference. Last season he netted against Stalybridge in the opening game and this time Leek succumbed to Parke.

A minute later and former Sheffield United striker Agana rounded 'keeper Mark Statham but was brought down just outside the area. A definite scoring chance was denied but the 'keeper escaped with only a yellow card.

Agana however was keen to make his mark and he scored just four minutes later when Gallagher again supplied an excellent cross and Brian Deane's former strike partner dived to head home.

Leek hit back to level when a slick move ended with Aidan Callan beating Stancliffe on the half hour.

The torrential rain made second-half conditions difficult and one always had the feeling that a mistake would win it and that would have been a tragedy. The spoils were shared and that was a fair reflection of the game.

Guiseley.- Stancliffe; Sanders, Nettleton, Daly, Hogarth; Ireland, Parsley, Williams, Gallagher; Agana (Bower 45 mins), Parke. Subs not used - Phillips, Poole.

ASHTON UNITED................4

GUISELEY RESERVES........3

On their Lancashire League debut Guiseley Reserves looked a better side in the second-half when substitutes Mick Morrell, Julian Wilkes and Rowland Egege added punch up front.

Guiseley were rocked back on their heels when two defensive errors gifted goals to the opposition and they found themselves 2-0 down after ten minutes. Two of the most experienced players in the side Steve Hook and Bryan Brookes - who played for the same junior club - made elementary mistakes which were punished severely.

Guiseley played well in midfield but were lightweight up front and the ball was continually coming back to the midfield who were overworked.

Ashton extened their lead with a 40 yard free-klick which caught 'keeper James Shutt out curling in just under the bar.

Just before the break Richard Machell finished off a good move scoring a splendid goal from the tightest of angles.

The youngster's joy turned to despair in the second-half when his penalty was pushed away by the 'keeper. Machell had a good game however and was involved again when his throw found Egege whose cross was converted by Wilkes to make it 3-2.

Guiseley were looking the stronger side and when Lee Beeton was brought down Egege stepped forward to take the penalty kick which he converted to level the scores.

Shortly after Morrell limped from the field and Guiseley were reduced to ten men for the final 15 minutes. They paid the penalty when Ashton were awarded a free-kick and when Hook swung his foot at the ball he only succeeded in helping it into his own net to give Ashton the points.

This was hard on the young Guiseley side who had played some good football with midfielders Ben Thackwray, Lee Beeton, Richard Machell and Andy Shuttleworth (until he was injured) outstanding. Dave Merris also had a good game at left-back.

Guiseley Reserves.- James Shutt; Paul Bowyer (Julian Wilkes 45 mins), Steve Hook, Bryan Brooks, Dave Merris; Ben Thackwray, Lee Beeton, Andy Shuttleworth (Rowland Egege 44 mins), Richard Machell; Damien Stewart (Mick Morrell 45 mins), Andy Carlton. Subs not used - Phil Atkinson, Nathan Adams.

Two of the Guiseley Reserves squad dashed back from the morning kick-off at Ashton to play cricket for their clubs. Richard Machell got back in time to hit an unbeaten 55 for Yeadon seconds in their win over Saltaire.

Phil Atkinson turned out for the other Yeadon club Green Lane

l On Saturday Guiseley visit Colwyn Bay and thern on Tuesday entertain Gateshead.

Guiseley Reserves entertain Runcorn on Saturday with the kick-off switched to 11 am.

Guiseley Academy play South African tourists Durban at Nethermoor tonight, Thursday, (8 pm) in the Leeds International Friendship Cup.

They beat Prince Philip Centre 6-1 on Sunday in the opening game. Scorers for Guiseley were Damian Smith, Mark Pollard, Lee Reilly, Emad Zeitoun, Danny McCartney, Danny Jowett.

On Saturday Guiseley played Bradford City and lost 7-5 after being 3-2 up and rattling Steve Smith's side.

Guiseley fell apart at the end and Bradford netted three times. Guiseley scorers were Lee Reilly (3), Damian Smith and Andy Holden.

In the final games at South Leeds Stadium on Saturday Guiseley play Yorkshire Amateurs with a 9.30 am kick-off.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.