REPORT: GUISELEY AFC 2-1 UNITED

BY LOUIS WHEELDON

Ethan Cartwright scored his first goal of the season at Guiseley, but United fell to a 2-1 defeat away at Nethermoor.

A debut was handed to new signing Emmanuel Ilesanmi - on loan from Harrogate Town - in a game where goals from Tom Denton and Gabriel Johnson ensured a late header from Cartwright would be to no avail.

The hosts started the game stronger, with Kieran Preston called into early action to deal with an dangerous cross from Joe Stacey.

Stacey then had another dangerous opportunity to deliver a few minutes later, swinging a high free-kick towards the lofty frame of Denton, who nodded wide at the back post.

Basford rallied and carved out a big chance of their own soon later, as a Matt Thornhill corner found the head of Peter Dearle to set up Ilesanmi, who couldn’t convert with numbers around him.

Guiseley shook off the scare immediately after as the chances began to flow, with a poor header diverting into the path of midfielder Ollie Brown, allowing him to blast a powerful volley over the top of the mark.

An open game saw more chances come the way of the visitors as multiple deliveries from Thornhill threatened the hosts net, but it was Ilesanmi who caused the chaos as he picked the pocket of Aiden Walker to drive down the left and cross for a fellow red shirt but the chance was cleared before Cartwright could fire home.

Ilesanmi didn’t stop there, again using his pace to break down the left and firing a cross that was only half-cleared, allowing attacking midfielder Cartwright to strike a volley barely wide of the post.

As the narrative of the game seemed to be telling, it was only right to see Guiseley have another chance immediately after as Jameel Ible rose highest to a corner, only to see Dearle block his effort off the line at the last possible second.

A game of this fashion needed a goal, however, and it came for the hosts as Callum Chippendale floated a cross to the back post for Denton to head home past Kieran Preston.

As the second half began, Guiseley came very close to extending their lead as Chippendale fired one of the post, with his teammates unable to to prod home any rebound. A subsequent header from a corner from Ible was caught well by Preston.

The Basford stopper was called into action again soon after as another cross from the hosts again found Denton, but once more Preston saved well from close range.

Basford rallied to fashion out a return chance around the hour mark as Rem Campbell held off his man to spin and find Ilesanmi in a good position, but a first goal eluded him as his left-footed strike flew over the bar.

Ilesanmi popped up again as Basford continued the rough hunt for an equaliser, neatly cutting inside from the top of the box before sending a sneaking effort just wide of the near post.

A lengthy break in play soon followed as Wafula went down with an injury, with the forward being stretchered off eventually to a rousing applause from those in attendance.

A large succession of corners followed as play restarted, with Guiseley not being able to convert until a clipped ball over the top found substitute Johnson, who kept his composure to shift away from his marker and roll the ball home to double their lead.

A goal was not to evade Basford for the whole game, however, as a right-side cross from substitute another debutant in Josiah Dyer found substutitute Brodie Litchfield at the far post, who headed back across goal well to pick out Cartwright to halve the deficit from close range against his former club.

There was to be no final twist to the tale, however, as the final whistle brought an end to a fantastic contest after seven minutes of added time, as we all send our best to Wafula following his injury.

We go back-to-back at home this week, starting with the visit of Stafford Rangers on Tuesday night (7.45pm), before welcoming Atherton Collieries on Saturday (3pm).

UNITED: Preston, Bowman, Goundry, Ritzema (Thomas 89), Roma, Dearle, Wafula (Litchfield 79'), Thornhill (c), Campbell, Cartwright, Ilesanmi (Dyer 79')
SUBS (not used): Angel, Makiessi

ATT: 435 [21 away]