Kendal Town 2-2 Guisborough Town (Emirates FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round)

Match Report

Drama and controversy as pulsating FA Cup tie ends all-square.

All things considered – and there was certainly much to contemplate in this drama-filled game – Guisborough Town should have been leaving Kendal Town on Saturday secure in the knowledge that they were through to the next round of the famous FA Cup.

In a game packed full of incident and controversy, the Priorymen produced a really excellent, high octane performance but were denied the victory they so deserved by some puzzling decisions out on the field.

Two key but controversial flashpoints in either half combined to ensure the game ended in a 2-2 stalemate, meaning the two sides have to meet again in a replay at the Kevin Edward KGV Stadium next Wednesday, 7 August (KO 7.45pm).

The first incident came five minutes before half-time when Guisborough appeared to have taken a 2-1 lead, having fought back brilliantly from the blow of conceding an early eighth minute goal.

Following a stunning 20th minute equaliser by Joey Smith, Guisborough looked to have turned the game around in the 40th minute when Kendal failed to clear a corner and the ball was swung over towards the far post where Nick Hood was on hand to force the ball home.

CELEBRATIONS SHORT-LIVED!

But Guisborough’s celebrations were short-lived when a linesman belatedly raised his flag for a hotly disputed offside call and the referee disallowed Hood’s effort.

Flashpoint number two came in the 91st minute when Kendal substitute Tom Russell went down in the Guisborough penalty area under a challenge from substitute Dylan McAvoy. The fact that the foul clearly appeared to start at least 10 yards outside the penalty area seemed immaterial – as the penalty was awarded nonetheless.

Guisborough goalkeeper Robert Dean pulled off an amazing one-handed flying save to stop James Bailey’s fiercely-struck spot kick but the ball rebounded straight to Bailey, who drilled the ball home to salvage a last–gasp draw for Kendal.

After the game a disappointed Guisborough Manager Steve Bell commented:

“Look, we can all make mistakes – myself included – but there were some decisions out there today which just seemed very puzzling.

“I thought the first half goal we scored that was flagged offside wasn’t offside and I also thought the late penalty that was awarded to them shouldn’t have been a penalty.

“In the end we had to settle for a draw but, in all honesty, I felt very strongly that we should have won the tie outright on the day – without the need for a replay.

“Anyway, it is what it is and it takes nothing away from the fact that I was very pleased with our team performance overall and the fantastic commitment and determination of the lads to get something out of the game.

“So we go again in the replay next Wednesday when we look forward to another wholehearted effort from the lads,” added Steve.

The Priorymen fell behind in the game after just eight minutes when Kendal produced some good passing on the edge of the Guisborough box and Matt Dudley scored with a low shot just inside the right hand post.

But Guisborough bounced back in the 20th minute with an exceptional equaliser following a great team move.  Guisborough skipper Cal Martin played in makeshift striker James Frazer who nodded down to Jason Blackburn who in turn laid the ball off to Joey Smith.

SUMPTUOUS SHOT

The midfield dynamo then turned and hit a sumptuous curling shot into the far corner for 1-1.  It crowned an excellent performance by Smith which oozed class throughout the game.

The goal spurred Guisborough on and in the 29th minute they came close to scoring again when Martin whipped in a great corner and Frazer got in a towering header which cleared the Kendal bar.

Then came the hotly disputed disallowed ‘goal’ from Nick Hood on 40 minutes as the teams ended the half on level terms.

The Priorymen came fast off the blocks in the second half with Smith and Kurtis Howes both prominent while in a rare Kendal threat in the 59th minute Guisborough ‘keeper Dean pulled off a brilliant save to keep the scores level.

But in the 69th minute Guisborough took a richly-deserved lead when the sheer persistence and alertness of Howes saw him latch on to an attempted headed back-pass and despite having several Kendal players in pursuit he just kept going before getting in his shot which seemed to take an eternity before it barely trickled over the goal-line.

In the final 10 minutes Guisborough came under sustained pressure but the defence held firm with Brad Mills in particular prominent with a great block to keep Kendal at bay.

Then with 91 minutes on the clock came the controversial decision to award Kendal a penalty as second half Guisborough substitute Dylan McAvoy was adjudged to have brought down Kendal sub Tom Russell in the penalty area, even though McAvoy’s initial foul on him seemed well outside the box.

Then cue more drama as up stepped Kendal striker James Bailey to take a fiercely driven spot kick but Guisborough ‘keeper Dean pulled off a magnificent save but the rebound fell kindly to Bailey who rifled the ball home to rescue a replay for his side.

INCREDIBLE SAVES

‘Deano’ as he is affectionately known by Guisborough’s fans has fast become a penalty save specialist over the past year, making some incredible saves, and this one was up there with the best!

There were many excellent individual performances throughout the Guisborough team but outstanding goal-scorers Smith and Howes deserved special praise along with Nick Hood, Adam Wheatley, Cal Martin and Brad Mills in defence.

Making his full competitive debut for the Priorymen, Wheatley was commanding in the air and intelligent all round and looks a great signing on this evidence.

So the two teams will meet again for the third time inside eight days in the replay at the KGV this coming Wednesday, 7 August (KO 7.45).  The crowd at Kendal on Saturday was 342, with a very healthy contingent of Guisborough fans there so the club will be hoping for a bumper crowd on Wednesday night.

Report: Bill Perfitt
Photos: Dan Clark