National League
Guiseley 2-1 Southport
Guiseley won again. Picture: alexdanielphotos.co.uk
Guiseley are back in touch with their fellow strugglers after a second consecutive victory.
Goals from new boy Jake Cassidy and Michael Rankine proved the difference with the away side scoring through Jamie Allen in between.
In this match which saw both sides create chances and push for the crucial three points it was Guiseley who nearly scored just minutes in when ex Wolves and Oldham striker Cassidy hit the post on the angle.
Southport started the match well and nearly scored when Ryan Higgins saw his effort deflect off Danny Lowe and hit the crossbar, then Guiseley keeper Jonny Maxted was called into action when Andrai Jones’s header was clawed away from goal.
The deadlock was broken early in the second-half when Jermaine Hylton another recent signing for the hosts this time on loan from Swindon, found Cassidy who fired an effort into the corner of the net.
There was almost an equaliser for Southport soon after, this was after a Josh Thompson cross into a crowded penalty area took a deflection towards goal and was hooked off the line by Jake Lawlor.
The hosts may have been lucky then but Steve Burr’s side were soon level, a corner was not cleared and eventually fell to Jamie Allen who produced a low shot past many players and it went in, just passing Maxted who almost saved it.
But Guiseley got the crucial goal through Rankine who had been on the pitch for a minute and he powered his header home after good work by fellow substitute Adam Boyes, who crossed for him.
The hosts lead could have been extended with just moments to go when Rankine saw a penalty saved after Will Hatfield had been brought down, but it is Guiseley who move off the foot of the table after picking up back to back wins and Southport are now bottom.
What They Said
Guiseley manager Adam Lockwood
“This builds our momentum, it was a good performance, we deserved the win.
“I’ve told the lads, this victory means more to me then the win over York, I’m delighted with the work ethic, we have to take all the pluses out of it and we will do, the substitutes made a difference, it was a pleasing day for me.”
The Teams
Guiseley: Maxted, Brown Lawlor, Atkinson, Lowe, Hatfield, Purver, Walton, Preston (Clee 65), Cassidy (Boyes 79) Hylton (Rankine 79). Subs unused: D Atkinson, Palmer.
Southport: Norman, Higgins, White, Howe, Ashton (Moseley 86), Thompson, Weeks (Caton 86), Lussey, Ferguson (Hynes 72), Allen, Jones. Subs unused: Gray, Cofie.
The Rest
Jackie McNamara’s future as York City manager remains unclear after a late penalty denied them all three points at Braintree.
York drew 1-1 and it is not known if that meets the criteria of a “positive result” which would mean McNamara will stay on at Bootham Crescent – despite large-scale protests against his management of York.
North Ferriby lost 3-0 to Forest Green.
In the National League North, Bradford (Park Avenue) drew 1-1 with AFC Telford, Harrogate Town lost 1-0 at Chorley and FC Halifax Town 2-0 at Gloucester City.