North Ferriby United

Vanarama National League

16 August 2016

North Ferriby United 3-2 Guiseley

Attendance: 487

North Ferriby United picked up their first win in the National League when they won a pulsating encounter against old rivals Guiseley at the Eon Visual Media Stadium.

The visitors will wonder how they came away with nothing after dominating long periods of the game but a determined effort by the Villagers saw them take the three points.

Ferriby got off to a great start going ahead on eight minutes, a fine run down the left hand side by the every impressive Curtis Bateson, saw his cross reach Ryan Kendall who fired into the roof of the net. Bateson was causing all sorts of problems for the Guiseley defence another good ball from him saw Connor Oliver fire over. At the other end the lively Guiseley attack led by the ex Norwich striker Johnson was always a handful for the Ferriby defence. After a spell of Guiseley pressure on 21 minutes the Villagers made it 2-0. Louis Bruce’s long throw was never properly cleared and the ball fell to Danny Emerton on the edge of the box who fired it into the net.

Guiseley responded well to going behind and halved the deficit when a defensive mix up saw Johnson advance unchallenged and he lifted the ball over Watson in the 29th minute. The visitors finished the half strongly with Watson saving well and then Skelton clearing off the line as the half closed.

The second half saw the visitors dominate procession but Ferriby’s inexperienced back four of Ben Middleton, Taron Hare, Louis Bruce and Jake Speight defended stoutly and although Guiseley enjoyed the bulk of the procession they had few on target efforts, when they did the accomplished Watson belied his young years, saving particularly well from Rankine. Despite Guiseley’s dominance Ferriby had a great chance to make it 3-1 when Emerton was put through but Atkinson came to the visitors rescue.

It looked as if Ferriby were going to hang on for the three points, Hare cleared off the line on 82 minutes but on 84 mins Guiseley got the equaliser they deserved when Johnson had time and space in the box to calmly finish in the bottom corner.

There was to be a dramatic late twist though, Simon Russell broke through from midfield, he exchanged passes with Kendall and advanced on goal, the Guiseley defender attempted to clear but as Russell closed him down the defenders tackle bounced off the midfielder and nestled in the bottom corner to give Ferriby their historic win.

NFU – Watson, Hare, Brogan (Middleton 46 mins), Bruce, Skelton, Oliver, Clarke (c), Russell, Bateson (Mukendi 90+2 mins), Emerton, Kendall (Robinson 87 mins). Subs not used: Fosu-Mensah, Fallowfield.

Guiseley – Atkinson, East, Williams, Atkinson, Palmer, Lawlor (Boshell 75 mins), Hatfield, Smith (Vidal 75 mins), Rankine (c) (Boyes 65 mins), Preston, Johnson. Subs not used: Deacey, Lockwood.