National League: Guiseley’s Lions fail to find their roar on home turf - once again

So, while their away form has been impressive, the sticky patch at Nethermoor Park continued for The Lions.

After the match Guiseley joint-manager Russ O’Neill said: “I’m really disappointed.

“I don’t want to paper over the cracks; performance wise, we weren’t good enough.

“We didn’t look ourselves, to be ahead at half-time and lose is frustrating but you could see it happening.”

The visitors had the first chance when Brendon Daniels hit a free-kick from the edge of the area. It went over the wall and had to be held well by Brad Wade.

Just before the break, the hosts took the lead. A free-kick was crossed into the box and fell to Chris Sang who saw his shot blocked. The rebound fell to Kennedy Digie, however, and the defender delivered an expert finish into the corner.

In added time, Telford nearly levelled when Marcus Dinanga, on the angle, fired towards goal and Wade had to show good reflexes to make a smart save and push the ball out of danger. At the start of the second half, Dinanga had an even better chance and, this time, he took it.

A cross found him and he flicked his header over Wade and into the back of the net.

Guiseley responded almost immediately when Aram Soleman found some room in the area and forced Micahel Luyambula into a smart stop at his near post.

Time was running out. Dinanga, though, kept on going and, when a header by Brad Nicholson didn’t go back to Wade, the forward nipped in to fire his side in front.

Guiseley tried to throw players forward in added time but they just couldn’t get a chance and fell to the defeat.

Guiseley are back in action next Saturday when they travel to Kettering Town to face former boss Paul Cox’s side.

n York City conceded more than two goals in a game for the first time in 11 months following a 3-1 defeat at Boston United.

The Minstermen gained an early advantage after Adriano Moke released Kurt Willoughby to lob over advancing home keeper Peter Crook on seven minutes.

But Boston levelled before the break when Frank Mulhearn crashed a deflected shot in off the crossbar. Brad Abbott went on to give the Pilgrims the lead early in the second half, tapping in after Andy Thanoj had struck the bar.

York came close to getting back on terms when Andy Bond also rattled the frame of the goal, but Thanoj settled matters on 77 minutes when he found Pete Jameson’s top corner.

A 1-1 draw with Alfreton means Farsley are still without a home win in 2020 after four attempts. Amari Morgan-Smith hit an upright for Alfreton, who then forged in front just past the hour through Danny Elliott.

Farsley were level within two minutes, however, courtesy of an Adam Clayton header and his reply earned a share of the spoils.

Bradford Park Avenue’s win-less run stretched to a 12th game following a 2-1 home reverse against Gloucester.

The visitors went ahead just past the first-half midway point through Bernard Mensah and Lewis Brunt doubled the advantage with a 56th-minute free kick.

Liam Hughes reduced the deficit when he rose high to head in Nicky Clee’s corner, but it proved only a consolation with Lewis Knight going on to hit a post for Mark Bower’s basement outfit.

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Harrogate Town’s newest recruit Maxim Kouogun enjoyed a solid start to life in North Yorkshire, but insists that there is “more to come” from him, writes RHYS HOWELL.

The Cameroon-born centre-half impressed as Simon Weaver’s team beat Eastleigh 2-0 at the CNG Stadium, securing their place in the quarter-finals of the FA Trophy.

Kouogun, 22, was unveiled as a Town player on Tuesday evening, but settled quickly at Wetherby Road and was thrown straight in from the start against the Spitfires.

“It was good, I really enjoyed it,” said the former Waterford defender. “The lads were great and I think we were worthy winners in the end.

“It was great to start with a cleansheet and hopefully there are many more to come.

“I thought I was good, but that’s only the beginning. There’s more to come from me and I’m looking forward to helping us push on.

“As the games go on, I’m going to get back into my rhythm and back towards being 100 per cent, but today I did a job. We got the clean-sheet and I’m happy with that. I’ll only build from that.”

Kouogun’s first taste of competitive football in England saw him pitted against a real powerhouse in Eastleigh striker James Alabi, but the Town new boy said he relished the fight.

“You always enjoy those type of battles,” added Kouogun, who has previosuly played in both Ireland and Northern Ireland.

“He [Alabi] is a good player, a big, strong lad. You just have to match him and try and be clever, try nick it in front of him, or sit off, whatever you have to do.

“The standard is similar [to the League of Ireland Premier Division]. The top teams over there are maybe a little bit better than Eastleigh, but overall, the standard wasn’t too different to what I’m used to.”

Kouogun was one of six changes to Weaver’s starting line-up.

Alex Bradley opened the scoring for the hosts on 23 minutes when he bent a delicious strike around Ross Flitney from the edge of the penalty area having being teed-up by Kian Harratt.

Substitute Jack Emmett then wrapped things up late on, calmly slotting home Brendan Kiernan’s pull-back.

Town return to action on Tuesday evening when National League promotion rivals Yeovil visit the CNG Stadium, 7.45pm kick-off.

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Pontefract Collieries remain fourth in the North West Division after losing to West Yorkshire rivals Brighouse Town on Saturday.

The 1-0 reversal on home turf also gave Marine the chance to go four points above them in third on the league ladder after they demolished low-mid-table hosts Droylsden 7-0. The win for Brighouse bolstered their mid-table status.

Pontefract host Droylsden on Saturday, while Town travel to City of Liverpool who sit just one place below them in the league standings, level on 32 points.

Sixth-placed Tadcaster Albion were beaten 3-0 at Ramsbottom United.

The table toppers are three points clear of Workington Town and will be looking to maintain or improve that when they entertain third-bottom Ossett United next Saturday.

Life doesn’t get any easier for bottom club, Pickering Town.

They managed to restrict mid-table Runcorn Linnets to just the two goals, but managed only one in reply.

Now five points adrift of second-bottom Kendal Town and Ossett United, Pickering will have something to prove when the bottom two collide in Cumbria next Saturday.

In the BetVictor Northern Premier, seventh-placed Scarborough Athletic eked out a 1-0 victory at Hyde United, the side currently occupying 12th place in the table.

Scarborough are back on home turf next Saturday and will be quietly confident of once again snapping up maximum points when they entertain Bamber Bridge, who are in the bottom half of the standings.

Whitby Town, meanwhile, are in 11th place among a clutch of four teams on 37 points, just one behind Morpeth and Stalybridge Celtic.

Town take on cellar dwellers Stafford Rangers at home on Saturday so have an inviting opportunity to break into the division’s top 10.