Guiseley sunk by Cheek’s hat-trick

Guiseley, their relegation from the National League already confirmed, went down 5-3 at home to Dagenham & Redbridge last night.

Interim manager Sean St Ledger said: “From the first half it was end to end.

“The positives we can take is the way we passed the ball in that time.

“There were a couple of mistakes with the goals we conceded (the visitors led 4-3 at half-time).

“There are a few players who haven’t played for us in a while and they did well.”

While Guiseley were already down and a play-off place beyond Dagenham & Redbridge’s grasp, the first half was action-packed.

The visitors raced into a twogoal lead with Michael Cheek and Liam Gordon both scoring from close range.

Guiseley got back in it through Alex Purver’s attempted cross that flew into the top right-hand corner and they were level when a clumsy challenge saw the hosts get a penalty.

James Roberts’s effort was saved, but Ellis Hudson knocked in the rebound.

The Daggers went back in front with Cheek getting his second, but a Guiseley corner caused problems and Simon Lenighan was in the right place to score.

Just before half-time St Ledger committed a foul in the area and Fejiri Okenabirhie scored from the spot.

The second half started with three substitutes being made for the hosts and while the tempo of the game dipped, there were still chances.

John Rooney who was one of the three players who came on, had an effort tipped onto the crossbar from an effort from just inside the area.

Dagenham & Redbridge extended their lead with Cheek completing a hat-trick. After his initial effort was saved the rebound fell to him to tap in, despite being put under pressure by two Guiseley defenders.