Guisborough Town 1-2 Boro Rangers

Match Report

A last-gasp breakaway goal by a Boro Rangers side reduced to 10 men earned them what looked like an unlikely away win and Teesside derby ‘bragging rights’ over Guisborough Town at the KGV on Saturday.

It was a bruising encounter littered with bookings for heavy tackles, although the second yellow card picked up by Rangers’ former Guisborough midfielder Harry Thompson 10 minutes from time was one of the lesser misdemeanours.

After Thompson’s dismissal Guisborough Manager Steve Bell could be heard urging his players to “Go for the Win” but it just wasn’t to be his side’s day despite a spirited and dominant display for much of the game.

At the end of the game Steve commented:  “Overall, I thought our performance was very good but we just lacked that last little bit of clinicality in front of goal to break down these types of teams like Rangers.

“I thought we dominated 90% of the game once again but ultimately we lost again for the third time in three home league matches to the type of physical team like Boro Rangers.

“Speaking honestly though, is it time to keep a calm head and trust in the positive things we have been doing or maybe try and change a few things?

“One thing I will say is that it’s a long season and there are bound to be ups and downs like today along the way,” added Steve.

After a quiet opening 10 minutes start to the game, the match sparked into life in the 12th minute when Rangers broke clear on the Guisborough goal and but ever-dependable defender Alex Nelson managed to get in a touch at full stretch to avert the danger.

Five minutes later Guisborough right back Callum Martin came across to the left to make a timely clearance to prevent Rangers opening the scoring.

This seemed to spark Guisborough into action and in the 19th minute they came close within the space of 60 seconds with Sonni Coleman hitting a rasping 20-yard drive which unfortunately took a deflection to go for a corner.  

From the resulting flag kick the ball came out to Guisborough winger Kurt Howes who hit a pile-driver from just outside the Rangers penalty area but it was always rising just over the bar.

It was proving a highly competitive game with tackles coming in thick and fast and former Guisborough midfielder Harry Thompson was lucky to escape with just a yellow on 29 minutes after a particularly heavy challenge on Howes.

Rangers took the lead in the 35th minute when skipper Stuart Ross cut in from the left and shot home from an acute angle and it stayed 1-0 to the half-time interval.

In the 52nd minute Guisborough were awarded a penalty when Rangers’ keeper Daniel Horner dived and brought down a Guisborough forward.  But he made amends for conceding the spot kick as he dived brilliant to palm away Sonni Coleman’s penalty kick.

Five minutes later Guisborough ‘keeper Robert Dean made an important save to prevent Rangers from doubling their lead.  He courageously got in the way of a dangerous Rangers cross.

Guisborough were playing some at times scintillating football, with industrious midfielder Joe Pickett at the heart of much of the Priorymen’s good play and on 76 minutes the home side equalised 1-1 with a lovely goal.

Guisborough winger Kurt Howes showed great skill to cut in from the left and slotting home from 10 yards after cleverly drawing the Rangers ‘keeper.

After Thompson’s sending off 10 minutes from time, Guisborough really got the bit between their teeth and looked dangerous whenever they attacked the Rangers goal.

But a minute from the end of normal time they were caught on the break by Rangers and with Guisborough appealing in vain for offside Daniel Lofts ran on to smash the ball home from eight yards out.

As the final whistle sounded the Priorymen must have been left wondering how they had let the game slip away from them after showing so much promise throughout the game.

The attendance was 261 – and the club would like to thank everyone for their much-valued support.

The defeat sees Guisborough slip to 14th place, their lowest position of the season so they will be hoping to make amends and get back to winning ways next Saturday, 2 December when they travel to bottom of the league Tow Law Town who have only one point from 14 league games so far.

Report: Bill Perfitt