National League
Guiseley 1-1 Chester FC
Simon Walton, in action for Garforth Town in August, scored a penalty for Guiseley
Guiseley and Chester could not be separated as the sides drew at Nethermoor.
Former Stoke man James Alabi opened the scoring with a real moment of magic for Chester, he produced an overhead kick from just inside the penalty area that beat Guiseley keeper Jonny Maxted.
Guiseley midfielder Simon Walton brought the scores level with a penalty. Both sides then had chances late on to steal all three points.
Both sides entered the match after being unbeaten during the previous week of matches, so confidence was high for the teams.
The home side started brightly with Will Hatfield heading over after good work by Danny Lowe, the next chance fell to Ash Palmer after Chester half-cleared a corner, he was able to on the half-volley aim an effort towards goal but Alex Lynch made an easy save.
Despite the visitors having Elliott Durrell and Kane Richards running the wings they were being stopped by the hosts defence.
Alabi though had other ideas and when a cross fell behind him, he superbly adjusted his body and his overhead kick went into the bottom right hand corner.
Guiseley started brightly in the second half and were handed a route back into the game when Connor Brown was brought down by Jonny Hunt, Walton made no mistake with a calm finish from the spot.
A ball over the top then nearly led to Guiseley taking the lead, when Lynch came out of his area to head it away and it fell to Alex Purver but his effort was cleared off the line by Blaine Hudson.
Jake Cassidy forced Lynch into a fine save after 89 minutes then Jordan Chapell on the break almost nicked it for Chester but fired wide.
What They Said
Guiseley manager Adam Lockwood
“I’m pleased with the tempo we played at, we could have done better at times but we needed to perform like we did.
“It’s a case that, I’m happy with the starting 11 and they are reacting well to what is happening, we at the end of the season could see this as a big point.”
The Teams
Guiseley: Maxted, Brown, Palmer, R Atkinson (Williams 17), Lowe, Hatfield, Purver, East, Walton, Preston, Cassidy. Subs unused: Wesolowski, Boyes, Logan, Rankine
Chester FC: Lynch, Hunt, Hughes, Astles, Hudson, Shaw, Lloyd, Mahon (Chappell 73) Durrell, Alabi, Richards (Joyce 63). Subs unused: Waters, George, Marsh
The Rest
York City have slumped to the bottom of the table after losing 1-0 at Tranmere Rovers. That is because North Ferriby beat Gateshead 1-0 – thanks to former York striker Reece Thompson.
In the National League North, Harrogate Town beat AFC Telford 2-1, while Bradford (Park Avenue) lost 3-1 to Kidderminster Harriers.