GUISELEY concluded their pre-season campaign with a spirited 3-1 victory at North Ferriby United, writes David Bridson.

The Pitching In Northern Premier League East Division side opened the scoring in the 37th minute but the Lions equalised mere moments later before adding to their tally in the second half.

The away side created early chances as Will Longbottom nearly cheekily flicked in an opener in the third minute prior to Joe Ackroyd firing straight at home ‘keeper Ben Bottomley.

An impressive Guiseley trialist saw a strike well saved in the 15th minute before Jordan Thewlis hit just wide five minutes later.

Ferriby created their first effort on goal in the 27th minute as Sam Aynsley was an eyelash away from getting his head on the end of a dangerous cross.

Just three minutes later referee Luke Tomkins waved away Guiseley penalty claims as a quick Ackroyd free-kick saw Thewlis allegedly brought down in the box.

When Thewlis belted an effort straight at Bottomley in the 36th minute the rebound fell to Longbottom, but his attempt slipped agonisingly wide of the post.

But it was the Hull based side who took the lead against the run of play when Aynsley netted after the ball pinged round the penalty area.

Longbottom’s leveller just seconds afterwards was a thing of beauty – the tricky striker beautifully curling a strike into the bottom left corner.

It was early in the second half that Ferriby succumbed to more Lions pressure with their scorer finding his own net following a decent Longbottom cross.

The effective Longbottom also headed just wide in the 51st minute as Guiseley sought to widen their advantage.

Ferriby, however, forced Jake Lawlor to stoop low to head an attack clear in the 55th minute. Only five minutes later Guiseley goalkeeper Joe Cracknell splendidly tipped Tom Corner’s attempt over the bar.

Home substitute Danny Clarke shot straight at Cracknell in the 63rd minute before Jameel Ible’s defensive slip nearly let the opposition in 20 minutes from time.

But in the 74th minute Guiseley extended their lead when substitute Gabriel Johnson shielded the ball to the majestic trialist who hit a handsome shot into the bottom right corner.

The Lions nearly found four goals, but John Lufudu’s attempt whistled over the bar in the 82nd minute. The same player headed just over five minutes from time.

Guiseley’s win followed a 4-0 loss to Barnsley on Tuesday evening but also came after friendly successes against Bradford City, Avro and Leeds United Under 21s.

The Lions begin their 2024/25 Pitching In Northern Premier League Premier Division season with the 3pm visit of Workington this Saturday, as Mark Bower’s second reign in charge looks to take off early.

Guiseley have also confirmed the successful installation of the new players tunnel at Nethermoor.

The tunnel was delivered and installed in the blistering Yorkshire Day sunshine and has been revealed as ‘The John Bridson Tunnel’ in tribute to our loyal supporter and volunteer who sadly passed away last year.

The funds used to purchase it came from a successful fundraising initiative which included a Tribute Match held at Nethermoor at the end of April which saw former players return to the club to play alongside supporters and current Lions stars.

£4394 was raised through the match, donations and End of Season Dinner.

John’s youngest son Adam, who pulled the tunnel out alongside his Dad for many years, said “This is the perfect tribute to my Dad and he would have been so honoured to have seen the tunnel with his name on it and the lengths everyone went to to support the fundraiser.”

“It is a very proud moment for us as a family and we are extremely thankful to everyone for their support.”

The royal blue tunnel will be used for the first time in the opening fixture of the 2024/25 campaign when the Lions host Workington at Nethermoor on Saturday 10 August.