SPENNYMOOR 1

Guiseley 2

NEW manager Bobby Davison made a winning start when he took his side to his native North East on Saturday and defeated Spennymoor and followed this with a 3-0 cup win at Leigh on Tuesday.

His rejuvenated squad battled hard throughout at Spennymoor and there was an air of greater enjoyment all round as the player-manager had obviously laid his cards on the table.

Guiseley kept a clean sheet so far as bookings go and there appeared to be a determined effort to keep out of trouble. - something which has blighted Guiseley's recent past as they have collected bookings galore and far too many red cards.

It was difficult to pick out individuals on a day when everyone gave their all for the cause but young Lee Elam made further strides forward with a battling display while the experienced Neil Parsley - elevated to assistant manager under Davison - and Des Hazel were prominent for their organisational skills.

The game also brought the Guiseley league debut of former Leeds United midfielder Andy Williams - Davison's first signing. He has been brought into the squad with an eye to providing the experienced cover needed when Des Hazel returns to his coaching post in Australia.

Williams has been playing with Matlock Town in Division One of the UniBond League.

Guiseley, who moved up a place into seventh spot with this win, opened brightly forcing two corners and in the eighth minute they opened their account when a shot hit the inside of the post and came out for Des Hazel to rifle the ball into the net from long range aided by a slight deflection.

Ay the other end Steve Dickinson got down well to a good shot on the turn from Craig Veart.

A Davison shot was turned away for a corner which produced a second goal for the visitors in the 22nd minute. Lee Elam took the corner and Paul Bottomley rose to head home his second goal in a week - heady days indeed!

Just a minute later however a freak incident saw Spennymoor pull a goal back. They were awarded a free-kick just into the Guiseley half.

Centre-back Gary O'Hara stepped up to float the ball goalwards and his look of anticipation as the ball moved goalwards turned to one of glee as 'keeper Steve Dickinson slipped in the mud and was left flat on his back as the ball floated over him into the net.

Elam was just wide with a delightful chip across goal and at the other end Dickinson

came out to make a decisive punch clear.

Parsley linked well with Neil Matthews and when he got the return ball he unfortunately overhit it and it went out of danger over the bar.

Guiseley started the second-half with a Steve Hook free-kick which kept low and had 'keeper Adrian Swan scrambling to take.

Spennymoor's Steve Preen was booked in the second-half for a foul on Paul Bottomley and the central defender - due to start a three match suspension on Tuesday along with 'keeper Steve Dickinson - kept his cool this time.

Davison's first game as player-manager ended in the 70th minute when he made way for young striker Michael Jordan to have a run.

Spennymoor had Simon Bates booked just before Guiseley introduced Andy Williams into the fray in place of Simon Parke.

Neil Matthews, who had had a relatively quiet afternoon, almost produced a third goal for Guiseley but his 35 yard effort hit the bar with Jordan down injured.

Spennymoor pressed hard for a spell forcing a series of corners but Guiseley were in control with some gopod defending by Colin Hogarth, Steve Hook and Paul Bottomley in particular.

There was a close call when Gary Cowell's free-kick was pushed onto the post by Dickinson and then hit Hook amidst screams of handball from the Spennymoor players but referee Graham Clay was having none of it.

An excellent long range shot by Hook again had the 'keeper scrambling and it is refreshing that the Guiseley defenders are willing to have a crack at goal and their enterprise is starting to pay dividends with some vital goals.

Leigh RMI 0

Guiseley 3

Guiseley threw off the handicap of being without the suspended Steve Dickinson and Paul Bottomley and thenow ineligible Des Hazel to comprehensively defeat Leigh RMI.

They could only draw 0-0 in the original Legue President's Cup tie at Nethermoor but this revitalised Guiseley side now looks capable of making further progress in this cup as well as picking up league points.

They started confidently at Leigh, with the recalled Colin Hunter making some good runs which worried the Leigh defence, although Leigh missed an open goal and perhaps should have had a penalty when stand-in 'keeper Nigel Muttrick brought his man down.

After 31 minutes Neil Parsley floated in a free-kick which Bobby Davison headed in to open the scoing.

Guiseley added to their lead in the 41st minute when Neil Matthews was alert enough to rob the 'keeper.

In the second-half Guiseley had plenty of possession and in the 60th minute Hunter had a good shot saved.

Matthews however was determined to have the last say and in the 69th minute he ended a good run with an equally good shot to make it 3-0.

Further performances like this will bring the crowds back to Nethernmoor.

In the two leg semi-finals Guiseley visit Ashton on Monday, March 9, with the second leg at Nethermoor on Tuesday, March 24. The other semi-final is between Blyth Spartans and Runcorn.

l On Saturday Guiseley entertain Leigh in a league game. (3 pm).

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