Guiseley stormed four goals past high flying Hyde United in an immaculate performance at Nethermoor Park on Saturday, writes Edward Robertson.

Mark Bower was more than pleased with his side’s performance.

“At the start of the game, I would say Jameel’s injury threw us a bit. But then we started to get on top, and I knew if we could get in front, we would have the energy to push on, which we did. They had a couple of chances but, overall, really pleased with the win.”

The Tigers showed the threat they beheld immediately as five minutes in they threatened the Lions goal. Connor Heath’s darting run and effort was blocked brilliantly by substitute Jake Lawlor. The experienced defender had replaced injured centre back mainstay Jameel Ible in the opening moments of the encounter.

Guiseley broke the deadlock three minutes later. Impressive loanee Leo Farrell won the ball on the edge of the box, before drawing a foul. Will Longbottom stepped up for the free kick. The set piece specialist steered the ball home much to the home fans delight.

The Lions continued to pile on the pressure. Ollie Brown’s shot was blocked. The resulting corner fell to John Lufudu whose shot skimmed the crossbar.

Another chance to double the lead passed the hosts by. Goalscorer Longbottom skipped past two to find himself on the edge of the box, but his shot was turned away by Hyde goalkeeper Callum Hiddleston.

Guiseley sliced into the Tigers defence again with half an hour on the clock. A through ball was collected by Farrell, whose cool finish curled past Hiddleston to seal a second.

Half time could not put a stop to the Lions momentum. A slide draw pass from Farrell picked out Gabriel Johnson. However, his shot was palmed away by Hiddleston.

Another threatening ball from Farrell nearly made it three. His cross found Lufudu, but his header bounced wide.

With an hour gone, the hosts were forced to defend. A stooping header from Jordan Scanlon was acrobatically saved by Joe Cracknell.

Finally, Guiseley all but sealed victory with the third goal. Adriano Moke’s in swinging corner was flicked home by Farrell, his fifth goal this season.

Farrell was once again involved, as with fifteen minutes left he nearly made it four. The loanee received a lobbed pass, and his chipped effort shaved the crossbar.

As the game entered stoppage time, many fans were thoroughly satisfied with the goals they had seen. But there was more to come. Another threatening corner was whipped in, and amid a scramble, fell to substitute Reece Kendall. The defender coolly poked the ball home to give the Lions their fourth.

It will be a quick turnaround for Bower’s charges as they travel to Whitby Town on Tuesday. “We have another Saturday-Tuesday which highlights the importance of having a strong bench, like Jake Lawlor being called upon so early in the game, and it’s important to have that over the course of the next couple of weeks.”