Guiseley AFC 0 v 0 Darlington (Pre-Season Friendly)
Guiseley welcomed National League North side Darlington to Nethermoor Park for the final pre-season game of the summer. The match also gave Adam Lockwood a chance to look at a number of trialist before the season kicks-off next weekend. The visitors also included a familiar face in former Bradford City & Guiseley AFC midfielder Dave Syers.
It was Darlington who started the quicker of the two sides and they had the first chance of the match on five minutes when Terry Galbraith floated a free kick into the Guiseley area only to see Dominic Collins headed wide of the target.
Midway through the half the home side created a clear-cut chance when they won the ball on the left, before Callum McFadzean cut inside to the edge of the Darlington are before curled an effort that clipped the crossbar before going out for a goal kick.
Harvey Saunders was causing some problems on the break with his pace for the Guiseley defence, but despite all his efforts the Quakers found it difficult to find the final pass or to test Jonny Maxted in the Guiseley goal.
In the final minute of the first half, Darlington centre-half Brown flicked a header back to the keeper but the ball fell short as Reece Thompson chased it down, the Darlo keeper Adam Bartlett pulled off a good save just on half time.
The Quakers started the second half strongly and again had the first chance of the half when David Syers played a through ball for Saunders, who turned his marker and hit a low left foot shot that Jonny Maxted saved low down.
Reece Thompson then made an excellent run down the right before cutting inside the area to line up a shot at goal, but Terry Galbraith put in an excellent saving tackle. Just minutes later Will Hatfield tried a left foot shot that flew just wide off Bartlett’s post.
Darlington responded on sixty-four minutes, when Nathan Cartman robbed a defender on the bye line before set up Fenwick, however Jonny Maxted pulled off a superb save to deny him from six yards out.
On eight-seven minutes, Guiseley got behind the visitors back four before cutting the ball across the six yard box before Reece Thompson effort at goal was well saved by visiting goalkeeper Adam Bartlett.
Speaking after the game manager Adam Lockwood said, “The game was a little bit flat to be honest, it was a good test and one we will face again this season in the league. We can offer more which is disappointing, but on a positive we kept a clean sheet which is good.”
Adam Lockwood will have some difficult decision to make over the coming week as he focuses on training, tactics, formation and picking the side for the first game of the new Vanarama National League season at home to Ebbsfleet United in just seven days time.
Match Details
Guiseley AFC – Maxted, Brown, Lowe, Wesolowski, Lawlor, Hatfield, Thompson, Rooney, Trialist, McFadzean, Trialist (Subs) Green, Palmer, Trialist, East, Atkinson, Trialist
Darlington – Bartlett, Hunter, Galbraith, Syers, Collins, Brown, Gillies, Scott, Fenwick, Saunders, Ferguson (Subs) Jameson, Wheatley, Marrs, Ferguson, Cartman, Richards
Goals – N/A
Attendance – 481
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