Match Report

Priorymen produce ground-breaking draw in first-ever NPL East Division match

Heaton Stannington 1, Guisborough Town 1

(Northern Premier League East Division)

Guisborough Town produced a vastly improved performance compared to the dismal defeat three days earlier against Thornaby when they drew 1-1 at Heaton Stannington on Tuesday in their ground-breaking first-ever game in the Northern Premier League East Division

Guisborough Town Manager Nathan Haslam hailed it as an important step forward as the Priorymen bounced back impressively from the disappointing defeat at home to Thornaby in the FA Cup just three days earlier.

Guisborough had taken the lead on 17 minutes when centre back Ben Errington met a corner perfectly to send a looping header over everyone and into the far corner of the Stannington net. The goal guaranteed Ben a place in Guisborough Town’s history as the first scorer in his Club’s maiden game in their new Step Four league

The lead was short-lived, however, as just six minutes later Cameron Gasgoigne – a relative of Newcastle icon Paul Gascoigne – latched on to a cross to Guisborough’s far post and lashed home a clever cross shot back into the far corner of the net for 1-1.

The rest of the game swung breathtakingly from end to end with the Priorymen competing more than well enough with their opponents – a team alrrady fancied to reach at least the Division play-offs this season.

But the match remained in stalemate for the rest of the game, although Stannington almost snatched victory in the dying seconds when a goalbound effort was miraculously headed off the line by Guisborough Town substitute Jack Bailey to ensure a fair 1-1 result on the night – richly applauded by an excellent crowd of 459.

After the game a clearly delighted Guisborough Manager Nathan Haslam commented:

“Overall, I was really pleased with the performance. We knew coming to Heaton Stannington would be a really tough test, particularly in our first away game at this level, but I thought the lads were excellent. We played with real discipline, great energy and aggression, and showed a lot of the qualities that we know we’re going to need week in, week out in this league.

“I was particularly pleased with our goal because it was something we’d specifically worked on. Joe Fergie’s delivery was excellent and Ben Errington’s movement was exactly what we’d spoken about, so as a manager it’s always nice when you see something you’ve worked on come off in a game.

“Their goal was a little frustrating from our point of view because there was a slight mistake in the first phase, but you’ve also got to give Heaton Stan credit. There was still plenty for them to do after that, the delivery was excellent and it was a very well-taken goal.

“Ultimately, though, it’s our first point in the Northern Premier League and we’ve picked it up away from home at a very difficult place to go.

“More importantly, I thought the performance showed that we can compete at this level. It’s only the beginning and we’ve got a lot of work ahead of us, but there were plenty of positives to take from last night,” added Nathan.

There were excellent performances by the whole Guisborough team against Stannington. Starting from the back Ryan Catterick had a fine game in goal, always alert to the dangers of the lively Stannington attack and distributing the ball well in typically effective fashion.

The centre back pairing of Ben Errington and James Frazer were immaculate and commanding all night while full backs Kallum Griffiths and Sam Collins coped well with the lively Stannington wingers and Collins in particular got up the line well to support his side’s attack.

In midfield Guisborough were well served by Harvey Coates, Alex Payne Joe Ferguson and Soni Fergus while the non-stop Alfie Doherty ran himself into the ground. Up front the diminutive Matty Willshaw cut an isolated figure, mainly ploughing a lone furrow against some gigantic Stannington defenders, but like Doherty he never stopped running until substituted.

One Guisborough substitute who caught the eye when he came on late in the second half was Jey Draper, who caused Stannington problems in defence with his fast and physical running and chasing.

So, all Guisborough eyes now are on the mouth-watering visit this coming Saturday,15 August of former League club Bradford Park Avenue, who will be bringing a big following to the Kevin Edward KGV Stadium (KO 3pm).

Avenue are the boyhood team of your Guisborough Town Match Reporter Bill Perfitt, who will have divided loyalties for this very special game. Who will he support? It’s got to be…?!?!

Report by Bill Perfitt.