FULL-TIME PLAN GIVES COX’S LIONS ADDED BITE

GUISELEY’S decision to go full-time was rewarded with only a second win of the season in an enthralling clash with fellow strugglers Solihull Moors at Nethermoor Park.

Manager Paul Cox believes increasing the work schedule will increase the Lions’ chances of avoiding relegation this season.

And this result will only heighten that belief as goals from Lee Molyneux, debutant Rowan Liburd, Jake Lawlor and John Rooney, either side of an Oladapo Afolayan double for Moors, saw him celebrate his first win in charge to leapfrog Chester in the race to survive the drop.

This match burst into life in a frantic few minutes midway through the second half when three goals in as many minutes saw Stevenage loanee Liburd put the Lions 2-1 up before Afolayan notched his scond to level at 2-2 and Lawlor immediately restored the lead with the very next attack.

Rooney then decided it with a fine free-kick four minutes from time.

Cox said: “It was just crucial that we got this one. We showed great spirit to go back to 2-2 and not let it get to us. We have to build on this, it feels so good to get that first win in the league for myself here.”

Guiseley looked pumped up from the off with the lively Kevan Hurst halfvolleying an effort just wide in an early assault.

The Lions kept up the pressure and were well worthy of their lead on 23 minutes – Molyneux’s freekick flying into the top corner leaving keeper Nathan Vaughan helpless. Moors, however, kept plugging away and found an equaliser just before half-time – with a little help from Storm Brian. The strong wind caught a throw-on into the box and Afolayan, on as a first-half sub, pounced with a low drive which eluded several bodies and crept into the bottom corner. Only Lions keeper Jonny Maxted prevented Moors taking the lead on the stroke of half-time with a smart save to deny the returning Akwasi Asante. With the tables threatening to turn, a cagey start to the second half ensued, but it was Guiseley who struck next on 65 minutes – Liburd using his pace and power to turn the Moors defence inside out and slot into the bottom corner. Almost immediately, however, Moors were level when Shepherd Murombedzi found Afolayan with a cross to double his total. Lawlor then swiftly made it 3-2 when his volley from a free-kick trickled over the line and after Maxted prevented a third Moors equaliser with three fine saves, Rooney wrapped it up. Solihull boss Richard Money said: “We simply can’t be conceding so many goals, the aim is to win games. You are at a big disadvantage with some of the defending we showed. A win on Tuesday, though, and we can forget about this one.”