Guiseley 1

ASHTON UNITED 1

(3-2 on aggregate)

IN the end Guiseley scraped home to reach the final of the UniBond League President's Cup when their victory should have been by a wider margin.

They held a goal advantage from the first leg at Ashton which they won 2-1 and in the end they were glad to hear the final whistle in this one after Ashton had been awarded a disputed penalty and then denied a disputed goal.

The anger Ashton felt at the disallowed goal late in the game was shown when No 4 Karl Bell was sent off for his complaints to the referee after the game had ended.

Guiseley again started slowly but warmed to the task and Bobby Davison had a good effort blocked by 'keeper John Mc- Kenna who seemed to be struggling with a leg injury.

Guiseley failed to play on this leaving the 'keeper with time and space instead of pressuring him.

With Simon Parke, continuing in the centre of defence in the absence of Paul Bottomley, making some classy interceptions Guiseley looked in control although once again Ashton proved to have some ferocious dead ball kickers.

On the hour Neil Matthews managed to blast Guiseley's best chance over the bar from inside the six yard box after good work by Andy Williams.

At the other end Steve Hook cleared for a corner at the near post and Peter Atkinson cleared a shot off the line.

Lee Elam had another industrious game in midfield but on a number of occasions he delayed too long before passing the ball. He was also booked for feigning to take a corner in the 55th minute.

Ashton levelled the aggregate score with a disputed penalty after Davison had had his appeals for a penalty at the other end ignored.

Elam was tracking back when he clipped Steve Caswell to the right of the penalty area but with no intent. The referee had no hesitation in awarding the spot kick and John Brown stepped up to ram it home.

This 65th minute equaliser set Guiseley back on their heels but they pressed on and after a couple of chances had been spurned Davison gave them the vital breakthrough.

He picked up a superb through ball from Neil Parsley to the left of the penalty area and moved forward to fire past McKenna with great style in the 75th minute.

Following a corner by Brown Ashton thought they had forced the ball across the line in a crowded goalmouth but the referee ruled the ball had not crossed the line and Guiseley breathed again.

Ashton however were breathing fire and a possee of their players chased after the referee and linesman.

In the closing minutes Dickinson made a superb save to preserve his side's lead.

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