Guisborough Town 2-1 Shildon (Isuzu FA Vase 2nd Qualifying Round)

Match Report

Guisborough Town reached the next round of the Isuzu FA Vase with a comfortable 2-1 victory over Shildon at the Kevin Edward KGV Stadium.

Shildon got a stunning late goal to make the scoreline appear closer than it actually was because, in truth, the Priorymen were head and shoulders above rarely looked in danger of losing this game.

The only disappointment was the poor crowd figure of 170, leaving many who did attend wondering if that was a reaction to the managerial changes from last weekend, or perhaps the rival attraction of the nearby Stokesley show, or both?

Shildon are not the formidable team they used to be, but nevertheless this was a thoroughly convincing performance by the Priorymen which delighted Guisborough’s caretaker manager Steve Dowling and his dugout assistant Tommy Marron.

Steve commented afterwards: “This was a very good performance from start to finish, I thought we fully deserved the win and never felt that we were in any real danger.

TREMENDOUSLY HARD

“From goalkeeper Deano at the back to the back four of Robbie Cuthbert, James Frazer, Mitch Parkinson and Brad Mills they were all very assured and defended extremely well.

“In midfield Jack Bailey, Joey Smith and Joe Pickett al worked tremendously hard both in and out of position.

“Our front three of Kyle Davis, Jason Blackburn and Kenzie Harker worked tirelessly throughout the game and the three subs also contributed to a great team effort,” added Steve.

Shildon looked the more dangerous side early on and Brad Mills saved his side in the eighth minute with a great block.

Then in the 16th minute Shildon almost capitalised on a slip by young Guisborough defender Robbie Cuthbert but ‘keeper Robert Dean dived full length to tip Shildon striker Billy Greulich-Smith’s shot just round the post.

However, Guisborough were visibly growing in confidence and it was no surprise when the Priorymen took the lead on 34 minutes when Jason Blackburn latched on to a great low ball into the box by Jack Bailey and set himself up well to shoot home into the bottom corner for 1-0.

In the second half it was virtually all Guisborough and they deservedly doubled their lead in the 75th minute when Joe Pickett put across an inviting corner and big defender Mitch Parkinson rose high to nod the ball into the bottom corner for 2-0.

The goal was the icing on the cake of an excellent display by Parkinson making his first appearance since re-signing from Whitby Town and he slotted into central defence so comfortably and looks a great addition to the Guisborough defence.

Guisborough showed good game management to snuff out anything Shildon threw at them and defender James Frazer was a man mountain at the back, getting in two superb blocks.

In the fifth minute of time added on Shildon scored what turned out to be nothing more than a consolation goal, but it was a spectacular one at that as Leighton Harris scored with a stunning shot from 25 yards out that sailed into the far corner of the net.

Guisborough have no match in midweek but are back in league action at the Kevin Edward KGV next Saturday against Whitley Bay (KO 3pm).

Report: Bill Perfitt
Photos: Dan Clark

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— Guisborough Town F.C. (@guistownfc) September 21, 2024