Guiseley's Young Lions race on in the FA Youth Cup

An early goal by Jack Lorriman on seven minutes and an absolute stunner from Lucas Alexander in the 18th minute put the Young Lions 2-0 up but their profligacy in front of goal almost cost them and a spirited York battled back to dominate the game in parts.

It was a game Guiseley could have won by the proverbial country mile but missed chances piled up and York thus remained in the game to the very end. Indeed, they too had a number of missed chances.

Guiseley of course saved the day with their indomitable spirit and never-say-die attitude, which was epitomised by the centre-back pairing of Freddie Westfall and Joe Taylor.

To a man Guiseley gave their all and this is what saw them through a tough tie.

An early header from George Sebine, who again got minutes in with the first team the previous night, was taken by York ‘keeper Harry Carr, who was very much the busier of the two custodians. Sebine then fired high over from a promising position.

A foul on Marley Spence produced a free-kick for Guiseley to the left of the penalty area. Lucas Alexander’s kick was floated to the far side of the goal and was headed back across goal for Lorriman to pounce with his fourth goal of the season.

Sebine had another chance which he fired straight at the ‘keeper after being put in by a great ball from Max Dickinson.

York appeals for a penalty after a challenge by Westfall were waved away by the referee.

Zac Rushworth saw his effort punched away by the ‘keeper and for all Guiseley’s pressure at this stage York looked capable of causing problems for their hosts.

A great ball from left-back Robbie Murray found its way to Rushworth via Sebine but the No 10 took too long looking for the opening and the chance was lost.

York saw an attack stopped by a great tackle from Murray before Alexander produced the highlight of the game.

Awarded a free-kick close to the right touchline and inside his own half Alexander floated the ball over the York defence leaving the ‘keeper clutching at thin air as it thundered into the net. A simply stupendous goal worthy of winning any cup tie.

Both Sebine and Rushworth hit the bar with shots in the one attack and then Rushworth hit the side netting.

Guiseley’s defence was breached in the 35th minute as Donny Day pulled it back to 2-1.

Guiseley had had enough chances to have put the game to bed by half-time but instead they were left to battle to hold on to their lead.

The efforts on goal at any other time may have been regarded as near misses but they started to become more important as York started to get a foothold in the game.

Chances came and went for Sebine and Rushworth but their prodigious running never faltered and put pressure on the York defence.

Guiseley ‘keeper Harry Churnin-Ritchie was called on to push the ball away for a corner and then as York came more into the ascendancy he had to palm a fierce shot to safety.

Guiseley however were not going to surrender their lead. To a man they dug in and showed great determination to hang on.

The crowd of 272 was bigger than that which watched the first team victory at Basford the previous evening. They started to get a little edgy but The Young Lions had their eye on making further progress in this competition and were not to be denied.

The win set up a third round qualifying tie at Macclesfield’s Leasing.com Stadium to be played on Friday 18 October in a 7pm kick-off. Tickets will be available at the turnstiles priced at £2 adults and £1 concessions.

After the game Head of Academy Dave Currie said: “We should have been 6-0 up by half-time with the number of chances we had. It was a criminal waste.

“We should have been out of sight. It was frustrating and we made hard work for ourselves. We had to battle to the end but that is what these lads do. They are very hard working and that is what got them through this game against difficult opponents.”