THE crowd flocked to Nethermoor Park last Thursday night to see Guiseley take on a Leeds United X1 and were delighted to find that the Premier League side had paid the UniBond League club the highest compliment possible by sending a star studded team.

The result was irrelevant - although battling Guiseley held their mighty opponents to a more than creditable 2-0 deficit - as around 1,600 people had a terrific night.

Happiest of all were the hundreds of youngsters in the crowd who had been let into the match free - policy at Guiseley for under-12s.

They were delighted to be in such close proximity to their heroes. Having Lee Sharpe run down the wing just an arms length away from you delighted hundreds of youngsters and they were even more delighted when the United stars spent time signing autographs and Dutch striker Clyde Wijnhard threw his boots to the crowd and 'keeper Mark Beeney gave away his gloves.

It was a great night for the Guiseley club and all the hard work put in to restore the pitch to good condition, following the debacle when Rotherham refused to play on it, was rewarded.

Word had spread that Leeds were to give a debut to their new striker Wijnhard but few expected them to turn out such a strong side - a side which included £4.5m man Lee Sharpe - a great favourite with the crowd - and such as Scotland international David Hopkin, new signing from Chelsea Danny Granville, defensive lynch pin David Weatherall as well as promising youngsters Steve Lynch, Jonathan Woodgate, Stephen McPhail and Tommy Knarvik.

Manager George Graham was in the stand with his assistant David O'Leary while Eddie Gray ran the team from the dug out.

The fans were also delighted to see first team stars Gary Kelly, Ian Harte and David Robertson at the ground.

Guiseley were a little understrength for this big game with Neil Parsley and his former Leeds United colleague Andy Williams both out injured, Simon Parke, Lee Elam and new signings Neil Holmes on holiday while Des Hazel was working and Ben Gallagher was out with a gashed foot sustained against York

Bobby Davison's men however rose to the challenge and none more so than devoted Leeds United fan Peter Atkinson who marked Lee Sharpe.

New signing Simon Trevitt used all the experience he gained in 12 years with Huddersfield Town and Hull City while young Simon Phillips continued his improvement with another good display.

Up front manager Bobby Davison showed flashes of what made him a favourite as a striker with the Elland Road club.

Colin Hunter made some good runs and produced some blistering shots which unfortunately were off target while Stewart Airdrie - released by Bradford City - showed some good touches in midfield.

In the second-half Davison and Julian Wilkes were replaced by last season's leading scorer in the West Riding County Anmateur League Mick Burke and Richard Clayton.

Steve Dickinson showed that he could live with the best making two early saves from David Hopkin and then thwarting McPhail by coming out quickly.

A good long range shot by Hunter was just over Beeney's bar before the wily Davison got in a long range chip which almost caught Beeney out as he conceded a corner..

The precision passing of Leeds marked them out but the effort of the Guiseley players kept them in the game throughout. They battled hard, showed some good touches and were not overawed by their opposition although for many of them it must have been the thrill of a lifetime to play in such exalted company.

Leeds opened the scoring in the 23rd minute when Lee Sharpe was free at the far post to rifle the ball past Dickinson.

Guiseley replied when a Wilkes cross was volleyed high and wide by Hunter when he really had time to control it.

Granville then almost turned the ball into the Leeds net under pressure while at the other end Lilley hit the side netting.

Beeney had to make a mighty clearance under pressure from Davison as the first-half drew to a close.

At the start of the second-half Leeds replaced Granville and Knarvik with David Robertson and Matthew Jones. while Guiseley threw on Mick Morrell for Wilkes.

Morrell again put himself about in his own inimitable way and Weatherall was none too happy to have to cope with him.

Dickinson was out quickly to thwart Lee Sharpe and Airdrie got in a swerving shot at the other end .

Guiseley were awarded a free-kick when Hunter was obstructed and when Davison played it sideways to Rowland Egege Beeney had to be alert to tip his shot over the bar.

Dickinson took a diving header by Sharpe while Hunter headed Woodgate's effort off the line.

Davison and Airdrie were replaced by Burke and Clayton and Burke was soon in the action putting Egege through for Beeney to save.

Dickinson clawed out a cross cum shot from Sharpe and then made an excellent save from a diving Wijnhard header.

Guiseley were still pressing in the latter stages and Morrell's shot on the turn was almost deflected in.

In the 68th minute Leeds went 2-0 up when Woodgate headed in following a corner.

The final whistle blew to bring the curtain down on an excellent game - one which certainly enhanced Guiseley's reputation and which will hopefully bring the crowds rolling in when their league season starts.

Manager Bobby Davison said after the game: 'It has been an excellent night all round. Leeds were well pleased with everything - the pitch, their welcome and the work out the game gave them. I was pleased with my lads, they gave a battling performance and showed some good touches and it was a real test of what we can do.'

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