REDS’ DOUBLE DOOMS LIONS
GUISELEY were relegated to the Northern Premier League after two late goals condemned them to a final-day loss to Alfreton Town at the Impact Arena.
Caretaker manager Steve Kittrick said: “I think at 88 minutes, you could see what they were doing, and we were getting tired.
“We’ve been here four weeks and they’ve reacted tremendously. We can only admire what they’ve done. I’ve gone on record saying if we’d come in a month earlier, we wouldn’t have been in this situation.”
On whether he would stay as Guiseley manager, he said: “That’s up to the club. I think I’ve proved enough that I’m good enough to do the job. I’m sure they’ll be speaking to me during the week.”
The visitors had the first chance of the afternoon as John Johnston’s teasing cross was headed agonisingly over by Shaun Tuton.
News of AFC Telford United opening the scoring against York City didn’t deter the away fans.
However, Matt Rhead’s header almost creeping in at the back post almost had hearts in mouths.
Despite Alfreton’s playoff hopes disappearing after Boston United’s opening goal, they continued to push forward. A corner deep into first-half stoppage time brought the first shot on target as Owen Mason got down well to brilliantly save Matt Rhead’s header.
The second half began with a bang as the home side thought they had taken the lead. Rhead took the ball down on his chest before seeing his cross diverted home by the head of Conor Branson. The visitors were given a lifeline when they looked over and saw the linesman’s flag raised for offside.
Guiseley were soon awarded a penalty when Rhead pulled down Cantrill in the area. Tuton, formerly of Alwords freton, squeezed the penalty home to send the visiting fans into delirium.
With play-offs nigh on impossible, Rhead saw his header saved by Mason and Bailey Hobson somehow sent his close-range effort over the bar.
As the clock ticked over into the 88th minute, Alfreton struck with a hammer blow. Branson calmly slotted the ball into the back of the net from the edge of the area to break Guiseley hearts.
With numerous players going forward, the Lions were caught on the counter-attack in added time and Yusifu Ceesay side-footed his shot home to claim ninth for Alfreton, their highest finish since relegation from the National League.
Alfreton manager Billy Heath said: “With a couple of games to go, we’ve started to run out of steam because of the run we went on and playing Saturday-Tuesday.
“We never give it up. We’ve kept going.
“There were a few choice
at half-time. We wanted this all-important because the players deserve it. We’ve had a great season and we want to keep the nucleus of the squad together.”