Penrith 0-3 Guisborough Town

Match Report

Guisborough Town stretched their sparkling unbeaten run to eight games with an emphatic 3-0 victory at Cumbrian side Penrith on Saturday.

And perhaps even more impressive than that terrific statistic is that this was the Priorymen’s fifth game on the trot without conceding a single goal. What a fantastic testament to Guisborough goalkeeper Robert Dean and his trusty defenders!

All in all, things are looking so positive for Guisborough at the moment and Manager Steve Bell praised his side to the hilt in particular for their second half performance which he described as “absolutely brilliant.”

‘REALLY EXCELLENT’

A cock-a-hoop Steve said: “A really excellent performance from the lads today. We started the game well then, to be totally honest, we lost a bit of a control in the game for a while.

“We ended up going in at half-time deservedly ahead – but only just. A few honest words were exchanged at half-time from me and Paul and – do you know what – the lads took on board everything that was said to them and came out for the second half and were absolutely brilliant!

“In the end, our margin of victory could have been more than three goals,” commented Steve.

He singled out striker Jason Blackburn for a special mention, adding: “Jason had been out for more than a year with an awful injury and had been frustrated of late trying to get back in the groove. He was outstanding today and scored a brilliant goal to boot.

“So we move on confidently with Town Law at home our next game in a week’s time,” added Steve.

Although Guisborough just about shaded a fairly even first-half, it took them until the 38th minute to take the lead through a penalty. Kurtis Howes nutmegged a Penrith defender but was bundled over for a stonewall penalty. Up stepped Guisborough skipper Cal Martin to slot home from the spot.

OUTSTANDING FOOTBALL

In the second half Guisborough stepped up the pace with some outstanding football and it was no surprise when they doubled their lead on 64 minutes when a James Frazer header found Blackburn who in turn set up Kurt Howes who made no mistake.

The fantastic football being played by Guisborough he the heights in the 69th minute with a truly outstanding third goal from Blackburn when he volleyed home from about 15 yards out and the ball ricocheted downwards off the underside of the bar and crossed comfortably over the goal-line.

A highly satisfying afternoon for the Priorymen was completed late on when yet another great save from Guisborough ‘keeper Robert Dean kept a clean sheet for his side for the fifth game in a row, a tremendous record by any means.

Guisborough’s next match is in a week’s time on Saturday, 10 February at home to rock-bottom club Tow Law Town (KO 3-pm).

Report: Bill Perfitt
Photos: Dan Clark