Post by adambrid on May 25, 2012 21:07:18 GMT 1
Hello and welcome to the latest edition of my weekly blog.
This week I’m continuing the season review.
As December finished with a warm winter feeling, January began with New Year blues as we slumped to a 4-1 defeat at strugglers Bishop’s Stortford.
But the game didn’t knock the lad’s confidence; a comfortable 2-0 victory over Stalybridge Celtic saw us progress further in the FA Trophy in the next game.
This was followed by a sterling comeback from 3-0 down and a James Walshaw hat trick as we overcame tough opponents Droylsden 4-3 at home.
Chris Senior’s third goal in as many matches helped us to a 1-1 draw at relegation threatened Vauxhall Motors before a
Walshaw brace saved us a point in a 2-2 draw at Histon.
We leapt to second in the league despite just a point at Vauxhall and rounded off the month in style by dumping local rivals FC Halifax out of the County Cup.
Poor weather saw the lucrative FA Trophy tie at Cambridge
United cancelled three times and we didn’t play again till the middle of February.
A Simon Baldry goal won it for us at Hinckley and gave us confidence heading in to the cup game.
Despite all the cancellations, plenty of Guiseley fans still made the long trip to the R Costings Abbey Stadium to witness a loss but also to see a game in which we didn’t disgrace ourselves.
One goal was all that separated us from the U’s and no-one left disappointed that evening.
However the lads again succumbed to defeat to a side in the lower reaches with a 2-1 loss at home to Eastwood.
We’d slipped to fourth in the league by this point but we went through to the final of the County Cup with victory over Farsley at Nethermoor.
In stark contrast to February we played nine games in March.
It was a trying test for the team but we began well with a 2-0 win over Gainsborough and a 1-1 draw at fellow play-off contenders and eventual promoted side Nuneaton Town.
A 2-1 loss at Gloucester followed but a 3-1 win over Solihull Moors came despite being 1-0 down early on and restored supporters’ hopes.
A 2-2 draw with Histon saw us maintain third place in the league before new striker Jason Price’s goal against Harrogate helped us kick off a nine game winning streak.
We then became the only side to defeat Hyde on their own turf to go up to second before a 2-1 victory over Halifax bought more joy to the club and supporters.
Wally netted twice as we ran out comfortable 3-0 winners over Corby at the end of the month.
We were hot on Hyde’s tail as April began.
A thrilling 3-2 win over Gloucester came despite a freezing snowy Tuesday night where supporters struggled to feel their feet and Father Brid enjoyed a rare Bovril.
A long trip to the Welsh valleys followed but fans were rewarded with a win through two Simon Ainge goals.
A last minute Chris Senior strike saw us triumph 3-2 over Altrincham having been 2-0 down at half time in an entertaining encounter.
Simon Baldry showed he wasn’t to be outdone as his stoppage time header both snatched us victory over Bradford Park Avenue and retained the County Cup at Valley Parade.
We continued to take Hyde to the limit in the league with a fantastic 3-0 victory at Stalybridge Celtic.
But the win was marred by James Walshaw’s controversial sending off and subsequent three match ban.
Walshaw featured against Bishop’s Stortford but a 1-0 defeat started an unfortunate downward spiral as the season finale drew near.
Hyde won the league following that loss and we concentrated our attention on the play-offs.
Kitty fielded a weakened team at Boston but we left with a credible 3-3 draw to finish the league season.
Nuneaton were tough May opponents and we struggled to make an impact at the Triton Showers Community Arena.
Finding ourselves 1-0 down inside just two minutes the home side dominated but we weathered the pressure to net a last gasp equaliser through Matty Wilson.
The mood among the travelling Lions supporters changed instantly with that goal and we began to believe this could be our year.
But the second leg proved perhaps even more difficult as Nuneaton slowly pressed and matched us all over the Nethermoor pitch.
It was a tense affair and with a stalemate at full time extra time began.
You sensed Nuneaton were the more likely to score and it came as no surprise when on 117 minutes they went ahead with a classy goal.
Players and supporters heads dipped as we tried in vain to find an equaliser but it wasn’t to be and Nuneaton went on to be promoted with victory over Gainsborough in the final.
We’ve been brilliant again this season and the way in which we pushed Hyde to the absolute limit despite their seemingly unassailable league lead showcases our resolve and team spirit.
We also lifted the County Cup for the second successive season and this was one of many examples of games in which we never gave up.
Well done lads and here’s to next season.
That’s it for this week folks.
Next week I will hand out my end of season awards.
AB
This week I’m continuing the season review.
As December finished with a warm winter feeling, January began with New Year blues as we slumped to a 4-1 defeat at strugglers Bishop’s Stortford.
But the game didn’t knock the lad’s confidence; a comfortable 2-0 victory over Stalybridge Celtic saw us progress further in the FA Trophy in the next game.
This was followed by a sterling comeback from 3-0 down and a James Walshaw hat trick as we overcame tough opponents Droylsden 4-3 at home.
Chris Senior’s third goal in as many matches helped us to a 1-1 draw at relegation threatened Vauxhall Motors before a
Walshaw brace saved us a point in a 2-2 draw at Histon.
We leapt to second in the league despite just a point at Vauxhall and rounded off the month in style by dumping local rivals FC Halifax out of the County Cup.
Poor weather saw the lucrative FA Trophy tie at Cambridge
United cancelled three times and we didn’t play again till the middle of February.
A Simon Baldry goal won it for us at Hinckley and gave us confidence heading in to the cup game.
Despite all the cancellations, plenty of Guiseley fans still made the long trip to the R Costings Abbey Stadium to witness a loss but also to see a game in which we didn’t disgrace ourselves.
One goal was all that separated us from the U’s and no-one left disappointed that evening.
However the lads again succumbed to defeat to a side in the lower reaches with a 2-1 loss at home to Eastwood.
We’d slipped to fourth in the league by this point but we went through to the final of the County Cup with victory over Farsley at Nethermoor.
In stark contrast to February we played nine games in March.
It was a trying test for the team but we began well with a 2-0 win over Gainsborough and a 1-1 draw at fellow play-off contenders and eventual promoted side Nuneaton Town.
A 2-1 loss at Gloucester followed but a 3-1 win over Solihull Moors came despite being 1-0 down early on and restored supporters’ hopes.
A 2-2 draw with Histon saw us maintain third place in the league before new striker Jason Price’s goal against Harrogate helped us kick off a nine game winning streak.
We then became the only side to defeat Hyde on their own turf to go up to second before a 2-1 victory over Halifax bought more joy to the club and supporters.
Wally netted twice as we ran out comfortable 3-0 winners over Corby at the end of the month.
We were hot on Hyde’s tail as April began.
A thrilling 3-2 win over Gloucester came despite a freezing snowy Tuesday night where supporters struggled to feel their feet and Father Brid enjoyed a rare Bovril.
A long trip to the Welsh valleys followed but fans were rewarded with a win through two Simon Ainge goals.
A last minute Chris Senior strike saw us triumph 3-2 over Altrincham having been 2-0 down at half time in an entertaining encounter.
Simon Baldry showed he wasn’t to be outdone as his stoppage time header both snatched us victory over Bradford Park Avenue and retained the County Cup at Valley Parade.
We continued to take Hyde to the limit in the league with a fantastic 3-0 victory at Stalybridge Celtic.
But the win was marred by James Walshaw’s controversial sending off and subsequent three match ban.
Walshaw featured against Bishop’s Stortford but a 1-0 defeat started an unfortunate downward spiral as the season finale drew near.
Hyde won the league following that loss and we concentrated our attention on the play-offs.
Kitty fielded a weakened team at Boston but we left with a credible 3-3 draw to finish the league season.
Nuneaton were tough May opponents and we struggled to make an impact at the Triton Showers Community Arena.
Finding ourselves 1-0 down inside just two minutes the home side dominated but we weathered the pressure to net a last gasp equaliser through Matty Wilson.
The mood among the travelling Lions supporters changed instantly with that goal and we began to believe this could be our year.
But the second leg proved perhaps even more difficult as Nuneaton slowly pressed and matched us all over the Nethermoor pitch.
It was a tense affair and with a stalemate at full time extra time began.
You sensed Nuneaton were the more likely to score and it came as no surprise when on 117 minutes they went ahead with a classy goal.
Players and supporters heads dipped as we tried in vain to find an equaliser but it wasn’t to be and Nuneaton went on to be promoted with victory over Gainsborough in the final.
We’ve been brilliant again this season and the way in which we pushed Hyde to the absolute limit despite their seemingly unassailable league lead showcases our resolve and team spirit.
We also lifted the County Cup for the second successive season and this was one of many examples of games in which we never gave up.
Well done lads and here’s to next season.
That’s it for this week folks.
Next week I will hand out my end of season awards.
AB