Match Report

Noah’s ark-ed header on debut earns Priorymen priceless 1-0 ‘replay’ win

Guisborough Town 1, Ashington 0

(Northern Premier League East Division)

A superb 51st minute glanced header by young Hartlepool United loanee Noah Gilbraith was enough to earn Guisborough Town a crucial 1-0 home league win over Ashington at the Kevin Edward KGV Stadium on Wednesday night.

This match was the rearranged game following the abandonment of the original fixture due to a floodlight failure at the KGV Stadium a month ago – just after half-time with Guisborough leading comfortably by 2-0

So in a sense it was a justifiably deserved victory that lifted Guisborough from four places above the relegation zone up to four places and just one point below the league play-off positions!

Such is the wildly fluctuating league table merry-go-round in the early part of seasons at all levels of football.

After the game, Noah – a member of Hartlepool’s Academy side – spoke of his excitement at joining Guisborough on an initial one month loan.

He said: “I’ve been welcomed to Guisborough really warmly and there is a lovely group of lads here.”

‘PROPER FOOTY AGAINST PROPER MEN!’

When asked how he had found the step up to playing senior non-league football with Guisborough compared to Academy football at Hartlepool, Noah replied: “I love playing at this level – it’s proper footy against proper men! I love it”

Noah’s goal came from a corner as he leapt to connect beautifully with a glancing header which arced into the far corner of the net.

The goal prompted Ashington into mounting a strong spell of pressure but the Guisborough defence played really well to contain the waves of Ashington attacks.

The second key turning point of the game after Gilbraith’s goal came in the 79th minute when a goal-bound Ashington shot looked like being a certain equaliser. But Guisborough’s captain courageous James Frazer – who else – appeared from seemingly nowhere to make an astounding goal-line clearance to preserve his side’s precious one-goal lead.

After the game Guisborough Town Manager Nathan Haslam commented: ” Absolutely delighted with the win but I don’t think we were at our best tonight.

“Throughout the game there were flashes of what we’re good at but I think Ashington acquitted themselves unbelievably well tonight and on the balance of play between the boxes I thought they were the better team overall.

‘MAKES A REFRESHING CHANGE’

“But it makes a refreshing change for us to get the win when we weren’t at our best. Football’s not just about attacking it’s about defence as well.

“Ashington have thrown the kitchen sink at us in the last 15-20 minutes but we’ve acquitted ourselves well at the back so well done to the boys for grinding out the win, ” added Nathan.

Guisborough had four new signings on show and all of them featured and played their part in the vital win.

A special mention also goes to Guisborough’s young midfielder Alfie Doherty, who ran his legs off all over the pitch throughout the game.

Up front, Guisborough welcomed the return to the KGV of striker Matty Tymon and Nathan was full of praise for him.

” For as long as hasn’t played, Matty is a professional at what he does in the sense of protecting the ball and bringing other teammates into the game.

“Matty’s going to be massive for us, I’m pretty sure of that. Seeing him out there tonight as rusty as he is he’s got to 80 minutes and been brilliant for us.

“Finlay Rose is not fully fit yet either but he’s affected the game in positive ways and so has Benji Shodeinde.

‘OLD HEAD ON YOUNG SHOULDERS’

“Then there’s Noah Gilbraith, a young pro at Hartlepool and playing at a totally different level of football with his club’s Academy side – but already he’s displaying an ‘old head on young shoulders’ mentality.

“He’s technically very good, reads the game well and has scored with a brilliant header following a corner and that has won us the game. Tonight’s been a great experience for him and I think it’s evident he’s going to fit in very well for us.

“So a very big well done to all our new signings tonight,” added Nathan.

There was another good crowd of 426 at the KGV and a novel ‘Pay What You Want’ initiative after the recent abandonment proved very successful. It raised an excellent amount with many fans effectively paying full price again or in some very generous cases like Terry and Glynis Smith even more than ‘normal price! The money is going towards Guisborough’s Step Four KGV Ground Improvement plans.

All thoughts at the Club now turn towards this coming Saturday’s massive FA Trophy tie against Redcar Athletic when a big four figure crowd is expected. Fans are urged to get down to the KGV early to avoid congestion.

Report by Bill Perfitt.