Match Report

Reds Keep the Winning Streak Going with Victory Over Guiseley

Mark Beesley’s side made it four wins from four in the league with a 2-0 victory over Guiseley.

The visitors started the game well with a couple of early chances, whilst FC’s first strong chance came on 15 minutes as Ajay Weston latched on to a long ball from Dan Atherton, but he dragged his shot wide.

The turning point came on 18 minutes. A fairly innocuous looking cross from the right went over the top of a jumping Adam Le Fondre, before bouncing up and striking Ollie Brown on the arm, the referee wasting no time pointing to the spot. Le Fondre stepped up and sent Cracknell the wrong way, placing it into the bottom corner.

The rest of the first half passed quietly with the Reds taking their 1-0 lead into the break.

Ten minutes after half time, Le Fondre had a chance to double the lead as lax ball forward from the Guiseley defence was cut out by Charlie Ennis. A good first time through-ball found Le Fondre, but he was closed down well by Cracknell.

Le Fondre had another chance ten minutes later, meeting a bouncing ball with a bicycle kick – reminiscent of his goal at Hebburn Town last season – but couldn’t get much power on it, with Cracknell making the save.

A couple of minutes later, FC had another golden opportunity to double the lead. After some good pressing by Michael Donohue and Le Fondre to win the ball back, Matty Grivosti played in Jay Fitzmartin. He cut inside the defender to make some space, but his shot from 12 yards out was blazed over the bar into the SMRE.

The goal did eventually come on 75 minutes. A corner from the right was sent in deep and headed back into the six yard box by Le Fondre, where Rudy Misambo was waiting to rise above the defender and nod home from close range.

That jolted Guiseley into action and they came close to getting one back a couple of minutes later. A free kick from the left finding a Guiseley player in space, his shot taking a deflection on the way over the bar.

The visitors had a couple of chances late on, but it was the Reds who had the best chance to make it three with a late counter attack finding Jordan Buckley in space in the box, but his first time shot was well wide.

The victory sees Mark Beesley side maintain their position at the top of the NPL Premier Division, and a third clean sheet in four games.