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Story of the game:
The Lions started the game on the front foot, attacking and keeping the Nantwich defence busy, but they were unable to create a clear opportunity and the most notable effort was an audacious attempt from star man Lewis Whitham that sailed over the bar.
The Dabbers were nearly gifted the lead on six minutes after a defensive malfunction allowed Aidan Roxburgh to get through on goal, but Cam Mason wad there to save the day, stopping a low effort and keeping the scores level.
Another defensive error from Guiseley came to cost them when James Caton was left wide-open in the box before powering the ball past Mason to give the visitors the lead with just short of nine minutes gone.
The Lions recovered well and managed to keep the ball in the Nantwich half, allowing Callum Chippendale to give Thomas Booth his first real test, a powerful effort that was well saved.
An equaliser nearly came for Guiseley on 21 minutes after a corner from Andy Kellett found the head of Courtney Meppen-Walters, but Booth was there to produce a wonder save, parrying the ball onto the bar before his defence was able to clear it away.
Kallan Murphy had a chance of his own on 28 minutes, snapping the Lions out of a lacklustre spell before his shot was saved by Booth, with the pair of corners that followed leading to nothing of note.
Guiseley’s equaliser finally came in the 38th minute after some footwork with Whitham was dealt with by the Dabbers’ defence, but this didn’t stop Kellett, who pounced on a loose ball to tuck it home from close-range and level the scores.
The hosts would continue to push all the way to the end of the half, but it would end with the scores level and the game very much in the balance and with both teams bound to go for it after the break.
Guiseley started the second-half strongly and were quickly rewarded thanks to Whitham on 47 minutes, who took and moved the ball before hitting a powerful strike that left Booth with no chance, giving the Lions a deserved lead.
The game passed the hour mark and the hosts continued to hold onto their lead, but despite Whitham’s footwork a further lead failed to materialise, with Nantwich growing into the game more and looking to equalise.
Guiseley had another good chance on 66 minutes, a good passing move from Kwame Boateng and Kellett that led to an effort from Whitham that was deflected before going out for an uneventful corner.
As the game entered the last 15 minutes, the tempo slowed down and created a very defensive affair, with the Lions benefiting from some lacklustre attacking movements from the Dabbers as they attempted to see the game out.
It was nearly an ideal return for forward Jake Cassidy on 87 minutes after he set fellow substitute Angus Chapman through on goal, but his shot was delayed and when he finally got it off, Booth managed to tip it over the bar, denying Guiseley what would likely have been a game sealing goal.
Another chance came and went for Whitham, who despite being let loose on the left by Cassidy with an impressive run, could only manage to steer his low driven shot into the hands of Booth.
The Lions would hold out for an important victory that kickstarts their 2023 as they look to make their way up the table and into the play-off conversation.
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Manager’s thoughts:
Guiseley manager Paul Phillips admitted that whilst his side had another slow start, there was only one team in it for most of the game.
”I thought we started sluggishly. “I thought after the first 20-25 minutes, similarly to the last three games that we’ve not started well , there was only one team in it really and the only thing I could really pick at is that we’ve not put more goals in the back of the net” he said.
Phillips, whilst happy with the result, admitted that he did get concerned in the final few minutes that the visitors could have snatched a point.
”When you don’t put the ball in the back of the net, there is always the chance that you’re gonna get caught with the sucker punch at the other end of the pitch. “I just feel that we need to start better, that is the main thing I’m looking at.”
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Final thoughts:
Guiseley will hope that this win is the start of a fantastic run of form as they look to consolidate themselves as play-off contenders in the second half of the season.
Meanwhile, Nantwich will look to quickly move on and get some more points on the board as they hope to move themselves away from the relegation zone.
