Guisborough Town 3-2 Whickham

Match Report

Guisborough Town extended their unbeaten run to five games with a narrow 3-2 victory at home to Whickham, who pushed the Priorymen all the way in an end to end, entertaining game at the Kevin Edward KGV Stadium on Saturday.

The win consolidated Guisborough’s sixth place in the league and after taking 13 points from a possible 15, the Priorymen now sit on the fringes of the play-off spots and just six points off second place.

A quick glance at the League table prior to kick-off would have placed Guisborough as heavy odds-on favourites, given the 15 places and 23 point gap between the two sides.

But it was the away side who stunned their hosts in the 10th minute with their first meaningful attempt on the Guisborough goal immediately yielding a return. Whickham full-back Lavery whipped a left footed corner into the box and centre forward Hall headed home powerfully from close range for 1-0 to the Tynesiders.

VOLLEYED HOME!

But Whickham’s lead lasted just three minutes. A misplaced pass in midfield and a slip from a defender left Guisborough striker Kyle Davis free on the right-hand side of the area. He steadied himself and showed all of his experience to slip the ball past visiting ‘keeper Smith and into the far corner.

Then two minutes later, Guisborough turned the game completely on its head. A perfectly cushioned header from Jason Blackburn fell perfectly into the path of Kurtis Howes. The in-form winger clinically half-volleyed the ball home to take his tally for the season into double figures.

Given the comfortable 4-0 away win at Whickham just two and a half weeks previously, it would have been understandable had Whickham heads dropped. Guisborough had two chances to extend their lead.

First, a headed effort from Jason Blackburn went narrowly wide and then substitute Matty Crust rose well from Jacob Johnson’s corner to force a good save from Smith.

Undeterred, Whickham surged forward and 15 minutes before the interval, the dangerous Hall played in winger Mason Hardy and he slipped the ball past Robert Dean to restore parity at 2-2 apiece.

A reshuffled Guisborough back line was being stretched by the physicality of centre forward Hall and the pace and trickery of Hardy, and the visitors looked anything but a side that are struggling near the foot of the division.

Guisborough searched for a goal to give them a half-time advantage. Davis twisted and turned on the edge of the box before narrowly striking wide and in first-half added time Blackburn was a hair’s breadth away from reaching Johnson’s teasing ball across the box.

If the first half had been free-flowing and open, the first 28 minutes of the second half were the opposite. Both teams were tentative, cagey and attritional with neither team able to get the upper hand.

A tactical Guisborough shift and the introduction of Ben Jackson on 64 minutes gave Town greater momentum and his trickery and willingness to travel with the ball offered a different type of threat.

Guisborough began to regain the ascendancy as centre-half James Fraser headed just wide and with more of the play now in the visitors’ half, Howes twisted and turned in the box before being bundled over for a Guisborough penalty on 75 minutes.

‘TYPICALLY COMMITTED’

Centre forward Blackburn capped a typically committed display by emphatically smashing the ball past goalkeeper Smith for 3-2 to Town.

A growing understanding is ever more evident down Guisborough’s left side, with Danny McWilliams and Howes linking up effectively all afternoon. With seven minutes remaining, McWilliams’ surging decoy run down the left opened up space for Howes to cut inside.

Having ghosted past two defenders, Howes rifled a 25 yard thunderbolt towards the top left corner. But he was incredibly unfortunate to see his effort smash off the angle of post and bar and rebound to safety. It would have been the perfect end to an outstanding all-round performance from Howes.

There was time for one final scare for Guisborough. With moments remaining, visiting centre forward Hall burst clear. He was challenged in the box, but fairly, despite the protestations of the visitors. The referee blew for full-time to signal a welcome three points for Town.

The only black spot in an otherwise successful afternoon was a nasty injury to centre-half Tommy Marron, who had to be helped off the field after being on the receiving end of a reckless challenge. It can only be hoped that the injury is not as serious as it first appeared.

Reflecting on the performance after the game, Guisborough manager Steve Connolly commented: “Naturally, I’m delighted with the win and three points – Whickham initially made it very difficult for us, they’ve certainly improved in the last few weeks since we beat them 4-0 at their ground.

“They have got a few new players in and I think we probably made it a wee bit difficult for ourselves because had we scored a third when we were 2-1 up the game may have played out slightly differently.

“But the way our lads kept going to get the third goal and then hold out for the win was very impressive.

“Credit to Whickham for the way they played but there’s definitely things we could do better as well.

“”That said it was the manager’s delight today when we played with a front three and each one of them scored.

‘REALLY IMPORTANT TO US’

“Kurtis and Kyle have been in good goals-scoring form lately and they have been chipping in from those wide areas. Both these players are really important to us and both their goals individually were really lovely finishes.

“So I’m delighted for both of them but not really surprised at how well they are playing.”

Steve added: “I am disappointed with the two goals we gave away today and I don’t think the players will disagree with me on that.”

Steve was delighted to have signed Darlington midfielder Alex Payne on loan for a month and felt he slotted in well with his new team-mates.

“He’s got a great engine on him and a good controller in midfield so we hope this loan arrangement will bring benefits both to Darlington and ourselves and obviously also to Alex in giving him more game time.,” added Steve.

The attendance for the game was another healthy 303 and Guisborough Town fully appreciates the support of every single spectator.

Guisborough now look forward to another home fixture in the North Riding Senior Cup this coming Wednesday, 20 November when they entertain Pickering Town (kick-off 7.45p.m) before travelling to in-form Crook Town on Saturday 23 September in the Northern league.

Report: Mark Cowan
Photos: Dan Clark

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— Guisborough Town F.C. (@guistownfc) November 16, 2024

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— Guisborough Town F.C. (@guistownfc) November 16, 2024