Guiseley sack Bower on back of five defeats

Guiseley suffered their fifth-straight-league loss after conceding late in a 3-2 defeat to Solihull Moors on Saturday, after which manager Mark Bower paid the price by losing his job.
Mark Bower.Mark Bower.
Mark Bower.

The Lions led 2-1 with 13 minutes remaining after strikes from Will Hatfield and Adam Boyes but late goals from Andy Brown who completed a brace and Harry White kept Guiseley rock bottom.

After earlier National League defeats to Eastleigh, Wrexham, Dagenham & Redbridge and North Ferriby United, the Lions parted company with boss Bower yesterday, as well as his assistant Danny Boshell.

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Centre-back Adam Lockwood will now take interim charge of the Lions who narrowly avoided relegation last term.

Chairman Phil Rogerson said of Bower: “It’s very unfortunate and disappointing. We thought we had found a gem. But last season, we got away with it and with no points so far this season is not good.

“We felt that we weren’t performing and something had to be done. Locky has come in as interim manager with the option to make a formal application should he wish.

“I’d imagine that he will take the team on Saturday and it is likely. I can’t see it being particularly quick in terms of finding a permanent replacement. Locky has the chance to step up to the mark.

“Let’s see what happens in the next week or so.”

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Guiseley sit bottom of the table and return to action on Saturday at home to fifth-bottom Bromley.

In National League North, Warren Burrell netted a superb individual goal in the 88th minute to seal Harrogate Town a 3-2 triumph and first win at Bradford Park Avenue since 2005.

It looked as if Town’s Horsfall Stadium hoodoo would continue as a two goal first half lead was surrendered in the second half.

Luke Shiels and JP Pittman struck within four first half minutes of each other to put the visitors in a commanding position.

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It could have been game over on the stroke of half-time as Simon Weaver’s men were awarded a spot kick, only for Dan Eccles to keep out Chib Chilaka’s effort. Alex Meechan’s men looked a different side after the restart, and were given hope of a comeback when Luke Dean found the net from the edge of the area 12 minutes into the half.

Dean then produced an even better finish in the 66th minute only for Burrell to produce a moment of magic in the final stages. Town now sit second and return to action on Saturday at home to bottom club Nuneaton. Avenue are sixth-bottom and visit 11th-placed Tamworth on Saturday.

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TADCASTER Albion produced a superb fightback to book their place in the FA Cup first qualifying round with Saturday’s 3-2 success at home to Scarborough Athletic.

The Seadogs raced into a third-minute lead through Joe Lamplough and then look destined to progress after Craig Nelthorpe doubled their advantage four minutes before the break. But Rob Youhill ignited a comeback with his effort four minutes after the interval and the tie was then level when Joshua Greening struck 15 minutes from time. The comeback was then complete when Thomas Corner bagged the Brewers winner three minutes from time.

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Farsley Celtic raced through as James Walshaw struck a 16-minute hat-trick in a 6-0 cruise at Congleton Town. Richard Marshall added a brace including one penalty while Paul Walker also netted.

Robert Bordman was another hat-trick hero for Ossett Albion who obliged 5-2 at Bamber Bridge. Albion initially trailed to Michael Potts’ fourth-minute opener but Dominic Riordan levelled one minute later, before Bordman bagged a treble including one spot kick. Albion’s James Eyles completed the nap hand in the last minute.

Ossett Town also moved through after Devonte Morton’s brace sealed a 2-1 success at home to Goole AFC who led through David Taylor.

Brighouse Town face a replay at Glossop North End after a 2-2 draw thanks to away strikes from Lee Spires and Ernest Boata.

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From the NCE League, Pontefract Collieries progressed with a 2-1 win at home to Bootle thanks to goals from Joshua Corbett and Mark Whitehouse.

Harrogate Railway went through as Harry Brown, Ryan Sharrocks and Brandon Dean all netted in a 3-1 triumph at home to Norton and Stockton Ancients while Pickering Town face a replay at Washington after a 2-2 draw. Pickering’s Nicholas Thompson and Matthew Turnbull hit a goal each.

But efforts from Ashley Flynn and Liam Schofield were in vain for AFC Emley who lost 3-2 at Maine Road while Hemsworth Miners Welfare are out after a 4-0 crushing at Mossley. Bridlington Town obliged 3-2 at Guisborough Town.

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LIVERSEDGE rose up to third in the North Counties East League Premier with Saturday’s 2-1 success at Staveley Miners Welfare.

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Vaughan Redford fired Liversedge in front after 32 minutes, only for Kieran Watson to level two minutes later.

But Liversedge’s victory was still ensured when Brandon Kate struck home a penalty three minutes before the break.

Thackley are fourth after demolishing visiting Retford United 5-0. An Aohden Brownlee double was supported by a goal each from Jerome White, Craig Bentham and Daniel Broadbent.

Garforth Town sit tenth after overcoming visiting Clipstone 2-1.

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Knaresborough Town went goal crazy in Division One with a 7-0 battering of visiting Shirebrook Town.

Seven different players were on the scoresheet in Tom Hesketh, Brad Walker, Colin Heath, Gary Collier, Tom Woollard, Sebastian Carole and Shirebrook’s Oliver Beaumont who netted at the wrong end.

Eccleshill United are top after late goals from Anil Singh and Alex Cusack sealed a remarkable 4-2 win at home to Ollerton Town.

Eccleshill were 2-0 down after 28 minutes but Marcus Edwards and Luke Harrop drew them level after the break.

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Two late strikes from Stephen Smith also gave Nostell Miners Welfare a 2-2 draw at home to Glasshoughton Welfare who led 2-0 through a Callum Harrison double.

Selby Town left it late to triumph 2-1 at Yorkshire Amateur who led through Harrison Blakey but were undone by Liam Flanagan and Michael Jones.

In the Evo-Stik League, efforts from Nathan Curtis and Tyler Williams failed to prevent a 3-2 loss for Frickley Athletic at Stafford Rangers.

Whitby Town won 1-0 against visiting Corby Town through a Dale Hopson penalty.