Following lengthy spells out with injury, Stephen Dooley and Dean Cornelius returned to action in a behind closed doors friendly which took place this evening against Guiseley
With no midweek fixture to contend with, Simon Weaver & Paul Thirlwell elected to arrange a midweek friendly against Northern Premier League side Guiseley to allow several members of the squad to gain some valuable minutes ahead of this weekend's match against Salford.
There was a slight change in the dugout too with club captain Josh Falkingham on the touchline alongside Rory McArdle.
The match sparked to life on 10 minutes as a pin-point deep cross from Jack Muldoon found Stephen Dooley at the back post. However, his powerful header was well saved before a low rebound from James Daly was blocked as the danger was cleared.
The home side would find the target shortly after as a long ball over the top made it’s way into the Town box. However, Murphy looked to fire goalward, the on-rushing Lewis Thomas used his body to register his first save of the match.
Some electric movement from Muldoon & Jeremy Sivi created the next opportunity of the match. A fantastic switch of play created space to cross for Toby Sims. However, his cross was scrambled to safety by the Guiseley defender.
A long ball forward would cause the Guiseley back line problems in the final attack of the half. A defensive slip allowed James Daly and Dooley to combine on the edge of the box. However, the later produced a curling effort which was blocked.
Clearly keen to make up for lost time, Dooley again would go close to opening the scoring in the first exchanges of the second half. However, the advancing Battersby in goal for Guiseley would get down low to deny him.
A well-executed pressing play from Town would present the next opportunity of the match. A driving run forward from George Horbury slid through Daly 1 v 1 with the ‘keeper. However, the tight angle meant his effort could only find the side netting.
The first chance of the second half for Guiseley came at the end of a patient passing move. A low ball across the Town penalty found a white jersey but a great save from Thomas from point blank range denied him.
However, this would not be the end of the danger, the resulting loose ball trickled across the face of goal for Denton who looked to open the scoring, but his effort clattered off the post and out for a goal-kick.
With the match approaching the 60 minute mark, Town looked certain to open the scoring. A fantastic cross from Foulds was intercepted by a Guiseley defender but his resulting clearance clattered off his own man into the path of Daly.
However, around six yards from goal, Daly’s effort cannoned off the defender and somehow stayed out.
With a host of changes for the final third of the match, a re-energised Town set forward in quest of an opener. Quick link-up play by O’Boyle & Moorby on the left hand side created a crossing opportunity for the full-back.
His cross was cleared but only as far as Horbury on the edge of the area. However, his low shot was held by the diving goalkeeper.
Horbury again would be in the thick of the action as his high press would regain possession on the edge of the Guiseley penalty area. His quick feet would slip through Brodella but the pass was just too far ahead of him as the ‘keeper collected.
This proved to be the last attack of the match as the deadline remained unbroken.
Guiseley: Battersby, Brown, Kendall, Ekpolo, Walker, Ashman, Devine, Whelan, Denton, Chippendale, Murphy
Town: Thomas, Sims, Burrell, Smith, Foulds, Cornelius, Horbury, Dooley, Sivi, J.Daly, Muldoon
Town (after 60 minutes): Thomas, Wilson, Burrell, Smith, Moorby, Tweed, Horbury, Brodella, O’Boyle, Bray, Ilesanmi