Guisborough Town 2-1 North Shields

Match Report

Guisborough Town stretched their current impressive unbeaten run under temporary joint managers Cal Martin and Tommy Marron to six games with a deserved 2-1 win over a typically combative North Shields side at the Kevin Edward KGV Stadium on Saturday.

A delighted but rueful Tommy Marron, one half Guisborough’s caretaker management duo, exclaimed: “It’s a shame this current run has come a little too late, otherwise we should have been in the play-offs, which is frustrating.

“It was another good performance overall and we were very happy to continue the unbeaten run. I thought we managed the game very well after we went 2-1 up and we were good value for the three points.

“So credit to the boys out there – we still have several key players missing through long term injury but we are still picking up valuable points. One game to go!” added Tommy.

Cal commented: “We were delighted to get a win in our final home game of the season and in front of an impressive crowd. We got off to a great with an early goal but yet again we switched off similar to last week to let Shields in for an equaliser.

“But credit to the lads for getting back into the lead and I thought we looked really comfortable in the second half.

“It would have been nice to have gotten a third goal to give us that cushion but all in all we’re very pleased to remain unbeaten in the last six matches to stay unbeaten going into the final game of the season against Newcastle Benfield next Saturday.

“Myself and Tommy would like to wish our newly appointed management team Nathan Haslam and Gary Wood a very warm welcome to the club.

“It was great to have Nathan at the game against Shields and I would like to think that Tommy and I have steadied the ship for Nathan and Gary to come in and build on this for next season so that we can really push on,” added Cal.

NEW MANAGER NATHAN’S THOUGHTS ON GAME

New Manager-elect Nathan, who was at the game, added: “I thought the lads did really, really well today despite carrying quite a few injuries and absentees and that left us unavoidably with a few square pegs in round holes.

“Overall, our energy levels were really good and obviously winning the game was vitally important.

“For me personally there’s a lot of positives to work on. We’ll have a fair way to go for the new season, but it was great to see what the boys are about and we’ll obviously take that into the final game at Benfield next Saturday.

“So yes, overall very, very happy,” added Nathan.

In the game itself, the Priorymen got off to the perfect start when Man-of-the-Match midfield general Joe Smith smashed home a tremendous shot from 20 yards out in the 14th minute and it went like an arrow into the bottom right hand corner of the Shields net for 1-0.

However, the lead lasted just two minutes as Shields took advantage of some defensive hesitancy and an awkwardly bouncing ball for Dean Holmes to rifle home to square the match at 1-1.

But Guisborough regained the lead a minute before half-time when Jason Blackburn ran on to a peach of a through-ball, advanced swiftly towards the Shields goal and with great composure drew the Shields ‘keeper before firing into the far left corner of the net for 2-1. A sumptuous goal.

In the second half, the Priorymen managed the game superbly well and allowed Shields very few chances while at the same time going close to adding another goal or two to make the game safe.

There was another excellent crowd of 327 to round off Guisborough’s home programme for season 2024/25 with a well-deserved victory.

Next up for Guisborough is the final game of the season at Newcastle Benfield (KO 3pm) where the Priorymen will be hoping to further extend Cal and Tommy’s management record of seven games without defeat.

Report: Bill Perfitt