Adam Yates reports from Nethermoor Park on a disappointing evening where Guiseley ran out deserved 4-2 winners with a brace on either side of the interval.

The Lions roared throughout most of the ninety thanks to a hat trick from star striker Gabriel Johnson who the Mariners defence struggled to ultimately contain.

A sign of things to come came early on with a Tom Pratt shot that went wide for the hosts but pockets of space were present throughout for both sides.

Marine however drew first blood with the opening goal that was wonderfully created by Michael Carberry. The full back displayed great control reminiscent of Paul Gascoigne’s goal against Scotland and promptly crossed perfectly to Darius Osei who headed into the net.

Osei then turned defender for the second time in a week with another goal line clearance to prevent an immediate equaliser. Another chance was scooped up by Goddard who was then fouled by Tom Denton. The striker came out of the collision the worst of the two and was substituted as Guiseley had to change tactics losing their high ball target man.

As it turned out, it may have been a silver lining as Guiseley’s 35 minute goal arrived immediately when Whelan crossed for Tom Pratt to successfully settle the Nethermoor crowd nerves.

Minutes later, Marine were in shock at being suddenly behind. Tom Pratt won the ball and drove at the visitors defence, he fed the ball out wide which was whipped back into the penalty area for Gabriel Johnson to fire home for his first of the evening.

Marine however had an answer in the form of Sol Solomon. A counter attack led by Finlay Sinclair Smith was fed to Osei, the striker slipping in Solomon who timed his run past the back line and gave the Mariners an equaliser going into the changing rooms for half time.

As the fans enjoyed their half time beverages, a call came over the tannoy appealing for a qualified official due to an injury sustained by the original linesman. in hindsight, Marine may wish that search proved unsuccessful but a young gentleman (Harry Nutall) answered the call and was handed a rare opportunity to run the lines in the Northern Premier League. The new recruit made it through the half heavily assisted by experienced referee, Mark Bell.

Whilst the game remained level, Marine had their best chance in hindsight to alter the course of the overall result. Darius Osei gave Finlay Sinclair Smith a gorgeous aerial lobbed pass but Fin was unable to fully connect and the ball dribbled past the outbound keeper connecting with the far goalpost.

It was on the hour mark that the game truly got away from Marine. As with the first half, Guiseley turned the game in their favour with 2 goals in the space of three minutes. Guiseley dusted off a prepared set piece routine where Joe Stacey delivered a free kick landing at the feet of Gabriel Johnson who fired home his second of the evening.

His third goal was thanks to an uncleared cross. Johnson found himself with the ball and with his back to the net and within close range backheeled to claim the match ball.

Marine attempted to get back into the game but the killer touch in the penalty area eluded them and as the final whistle blew found themselves on the losing end for the second successive Tuesday evening.

Next Up – The NPL takes a backseat for a double bill of cup games. First up is the FA Trophy first round away at St Ives Town followed up by the highly anticipated First Round FA Cup tie on the 4th November at home to Harrogate Town.

Guiseley: 1 Oliver Battersby, 2 Josh Ashman (Ollie Brown 57′), 3 Reece Kendall, 4 Prince Ekpolo, 5 Aiden Walker 6 Jameel Ible, 7 Joe Stacey, 8 Leigh Whelan 9 Tom Denton (Callum Chippendale 34′), 10 Gabriel Johnson (Daniel Devine 84′), 11 Tom Pratt

Subs: 12 Callum Chippendale, 13 Brad Wade, 14 Ollie Brown, 15 Daniel Devine, 16 Courtney Meppen-Walters

Marine: 1 Felix Goddard, 2 Kyle Hayde, 3 Nathan Woodthorpe (Louis White 63′), 4 Willem Tomlinson, 5 Chris Doyle, 6 Josh Wardle 7 Finlay Sinclair-Smith, 8 Jordan Lussey (Manasse Mampala 73′), 9 Darius Osei, 10 Sol Solomon, 11 Michael Carberry

Subs: 12 Joseph Ferguson, 14 Richard Cowderoy, 15 Liam Nolan, 16 Louis White, 17 Manasse Mampala

Referee: Mark Bell

Attendance: 453