GUISELEY’S backline put in a shift to remember on Saturday, managing to hold Marine to a 0-0 draw in the Emirates FA Cup First Qualifying Round at Nethermoor.
The game provided a small sidetrack from both sides’ respective league campaigns but neither could convert their chances, meaning they’ll have to do it all over again in Crosby on Tuesday night.
After a fairly open start to proceedings, the first major chance fell to the Lions on 15 minutes after a cross from Josh Ashman found Tom Denton, the striker then heading it down to the waiting feet of Kallan Murphy, but the Irishman’s shot could only go just over the bar.
The visitors recovered quickly and nearly had the lead themselves on 18 minutes when Sol Solomon’s effort looked destined for goal, only for Ollie Battersby to clear it off the line and keep the hosts level.
Amidst a largely defensive Guiseley display up to this point, Murphy was at it again on 26 minutes, managing to release a lofted effort in the box that showed potential, but ultimately drifted wide of the mark.
The Lions did well to withstand some late pressure from Marine, meaning the two teams went in at the break goalless, but still with all to play for.
From the start of the second half, the visitors established some clear superiority, with Louis White hitting a strong free-kick on 47 minutes that barely scraped the roof of the net, much to the relief of Battersby between the sticks and all associated with the hosts.
The introduction of Guiseley Academy graduate Miguel Valsau to the game on 54 minutes, for his senior debut, proved to be having an impact, the 17-year-old helping the Lions recover from another close call courtesy of White to take the ball and try a good low effort, albeit it was easily dealt with by Marine’s Felix Goddard.
The last 15 minutes were a display of defensive bravery from the hosts, with Finlay Sinclair-Smith being pressured enough to the point of his 78th minute shot flying over the bar, before a scramble in the box led to the ball being once again cleared off the line by Guiseley’s backline, meaning they successfully held on for a hard-earned draw and a deserved replay on Merseyside, a game Paul Phillips will need to make changes for as a result of suspensions and injuries, but it will also be a game he’ll be hoping his team can win to secure a spot in the next round.
Guiseley’s potential opponents in the second round qualifying of the Emirates FA Cup were confirmed following the draw at Wembley Stadium this afternoon.
The winners of tomorrow night’s reply will travel to Spennymoor Town in the next round of the famous competition.
The second round qualifying ties are scheduled to be played on Saturday 16 September.
The Lions’ league game against Atherton Collieries on 16 September will need a new date following the Colls progression in the FA Cup after a 4-0 win at Guisborough in the first round qualifying.
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