Defeat sees Guiseley finish on the bottom

Guiseley finished the National League season bottom of the National League table after a 3-1 loss at Boreham Wood.
Dominic KnowlesDominic Knowles
Dominic Knowles

After the game, Guiseley’s interim manager Sean St Ledger said: “It is disappointing, they made a good start and we fought to get back in it.

“There was a lot on the line for them, we gave it a go and just couldn’t get back into the game.

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“Credit to the fans who once again have made a long trip to see us play.”

Adam BoyesAdam Boyes
Adam Boyes

While relegation was already confirmed for Guiseley, the chance of not finishing bottom was on offer for the Lions, who took on the hosts who knew a win would ensure they had a play-off place.

It was Boreham Wood who made the perfect start scoring after only three minutes when Bruno Andrade took advantage of the ball not being cleared and produced a powerful finish.

Angelo Balanta was then somehow stopped twice in the space of a minute first defender Elliot Green got on the line to head away his effort, then keeper Joe Green made a fine save, as Wood continued their pressure.

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Balanta would continue to cause problems for the visitors and it was good work from him that led to the second goal, when Morgan Ferrier was found by the attacker and he scored from close range.

Sean St LedgerSean St Ledger
Sean St Ledger

The fight that Guiseley have shown in recent weeks though was on display as they got back in the match, when a John Rooney cross hit both posts and Dayle Southwell was on hand to score a tap-in.

At half-time with the score at 2-1, Guiseley entered the final 45 minutes looking to get back level and a cross caused Wood problems but it was cleared.

The hosts secured the win thanks to a good finish by Kane Smith who fired in from 20 yards out.

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So Guiseley finished the season bottom of the table and they will be looking to come straight back up next season as they go down to the National League North.

Adam BoyesAdam Boyes
Adam Boyes

FC Halifax Town wrapped up their National League season with a 0-0 draw at Maidstone United and 16th place in the table.

Dom Knowles scored all five goals as Harrogate Town sealed second place in Conference North with a 5-0 win over Curzon Ashton.

Knowles netted in the 24th, 46 and 50th minutes, before adding two more in the 91st and 92nd minutes, as Town ensured a home game in the first leg of their play-off semi-final on Sunday, May 6.

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Off the field, Town’s talented England C winger, Joe Leesley, has been named the Conference North player of the year.

Sean St LedgerSean St Ledger
Sean St Ledger

Bradford Park Avenue’s Adam Boyes netted a dramatic 93rd-minute winner at Kidderminster Harriers to seal their play-off spot on goal difference from rivals Spennymoor Town.

Trailing since the 14th minute, Avenue eventually levelled in the 83rd minute through Frank Mulhern and won it with Boyes’ late intervention.

Mark Bower’s Avenue now play Kidderminster again at Aggborough on Wednesday evening in a bid to seal their place in the semi-finals.

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Farsley Celtic secured a play-off spot in their first season in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier Division with a 3-0 victory over Marine, writes THOMAS Ritchie.

Goals from Nathan Cartman, Luke Parkin and Isaac Baldwin helped the Celts to a comfortable victory, and they will now travel to Ashton United on Tuesday.

A delighted Celtic manager Adam Lakeland said: “Nobody’s given us a chance all season, but we’ve shown over 46 games we’re a good team.

“To get 80 points in this league takes some doing, and as a newly-promoted side we should be incredibly proud.”

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The visitors started on the front foot and Joshua Amis missed a pair of gilt-edged chances early on, his first effort being superbly saved by Kyle Trenerry before he put the rebound wide.

Less than a minute later, Farsley took the lead, Ben Atkinson’s blocked shot falling to Nathan Cartman who swivelled and fired home for his 20th goal of the season.

On the stroke of half-time Luke Parkin doubled Farsley’s lead with his 10th goal of the season as he volleyed home Lewis Turner’s cross from close range. The three points were secured with just over 10 minutes remaining as Lewis Turner was the supplier once again, crossing for Isaac Baldwin to head home for his fourth goal in two games.

In Division 1 North, Tadcaster Albion secured a play-off spot as they defeated Mossley 2-0, Billy Whitehouse and Casey Stewart on target for Albion, who now travel to Bamber Bridge.

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Ossett Town’s final ever game ended in victory as they hammered Goole AFC 7-2.

Nicky Boshell hit four goals for the hosts, with Martin Pembleton, Corey Gregory and a Terry Barwick own goal adding to the score. Derry Robson and Declan Howe struck for Goole.

It was a more disappointing end for Ossett Albion as they lost 2-0 to Scarborough Athletic, James Walshaw and James Beadle scoring for the promoted side.

An Aaron Martin hat-trick ensured Brighouse Town’s season ended on a high with a 3-0 victory over Droylsden, whilst in Division 1 South a George Milner goal was enough as Frickley Athletic defeated Sheffield FC 1-0.

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Pontefract Collieries claimed the NCE Premier Division title thanks to a 2-0 win over Maltby Main.

Vaughan Redford (29) and Aaron Moxham (86) got the Ponte’ goals as they moved on to 97 points with three games to play and can no longer be caught by title rivals AFC Mansfield or Pickering Town.

It sealed back-to-back promotions for Craig Parry’s unfancied Colls, who will now play in the Evo-Stik League for the first time in their 60-year history.

Pontefract could also break the 100-point barrier as they have three games to play and the also have an astonishing goal difference of plus-94.

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Prolific goalscorer Nash Connolly scored a hat-trick as hosts Hemsworth Miners Welfare thrashed relegated Parkgate 8-1. Bradley Dockerty bagged a brace, with Luke Danville, Chris Ovington and Seon Ripley also on target for the hosts.

Garforth Town won 2-0 at struggling Harrogate Railway, with a goal in each half from Calloum Ward and Mark Simpson, while Thackley lost 2-1 at Hall Road Rangers, James Rothel with a late consolation.

Athersley Rec lost 2-1 at second-place AFC Masfield despite taking the lead through Joe Singleton, while Pickering Town triumphed 3-1 at Bridlington Town.

In Division 1, champions Knaresborough Town also remain on course to break the 100-point barrier thanks to a 2-0 win at Dronfield.

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Nicholas Black and Colin Heath got Town’s goals in the first half.

There were three goals in the first four minutes at Selby Town, who defeated struggling Brigg Town 4-2.

Liam Flanagan opened the scoring in the first minute for the Robins, followed by Gary Collier’s effort two minutes later. Jack Tierney pulled on back for Brigg (4), but Collier and Jordan Snodin netted further first- half goals to secure victory for mid-table Town.