Guiseley into Conference North Play-Off Final

Local non-league side Guiseley AFC will contest the Vanarama Conference North Play-Off final for the second year running following a comfortable 3-1 aggregate win over AFC Flyde last Saturday.

The Lions took a 1-0 lead into the away leg, but their lead was to last only 20 seconds when Flyde's Richie Allen headed home with the Guiseley defence seemingly sleeping.

Flyde continued to push early on and forced first-leg hero Steve Drench into a couple of strong saves, including turning a fierce shot from Adam Sumner around the post.

Flyde's second-leg lead would only last 32 minutes when a tantalising cross from Guiseley winger Danny Lowe was met by the head of Danny Boshell who thundered his header into the back of the home side's goal, restoring the Lions' one goal aggregate advantage. 

Guiseley extended their lead to an almost unassailable level 12 minutes after the restart when skipper Andy Holdsworth lashed a powerful strike into the top corner following lovely build-up play from Oli Johnson and Adam Boyes to leave the home side with more than a mountain to climb.

The away team managed to restrict the home side to a string of half-chances through disciplined defending and control of the match as the home side's advances fizzled out as the game wore on.

The final whistle sparked wild celebrations amongst the players and the travelling support as Guiseley managed to twice defeat a side who finished the season with a 10-match unbeaten run. The Lions will now travel to face Chorley at Victory Park after The Magpies defeated Boston United on sudden death penalties.

Guiseley will be confident that last years experience of final defeat, as well as previous years of near misses will spur them on to finally achieve promotion to the Conference Premier.

Good luck to the lads!

Saturday May 9th - 3.00pm
Victoria Park, Chorley
Vanarama Conference North Play Off Final