GUISBOROUGH Town have made a promising start to their pre-season campaign, so far winning three games and losing one - albeit a disappointing defeat at arch rivals Marske United.

Guisborough kick off their pre-season campaign in earnest with a hard-earned 2-0 victory over Nunthorpe, Ben Hugill netting both goals.The Priorymen then scored an emphatic 7-2 victory in their first-ever Guisborough hometown derby against the recently-formed Guisborough United side.

Then on Thursday, 13 July came the first real test for Guisborough with a tough away friendly at neighbouring Marske United. After a bright start by the Priorymen with Steve Roberts scoring an early goal for Guisborough, Marske went on to score five times including a goal apiece from former Guisborough favourites Danny Earl and Leon Carling.

Smarting somewhat from that defeat, Guisborough looked determined to make amends on Saturday when they faced Northern Counties East Premier League side Garforth Town at the KGV Stadium. Before the kick-off there was a minute’s applause to remember Bradley Lowery. New signing from Billingham Synthonia, Nathan Steel scored an impressive first-half hat-trick on his return to Guisborough. He opened the scoring following neat interplay between Mills and Roberts by tapping home Roberts’ pinpoint final pass across goal. Then in the 17th minute Steel doubled Guisborough’s lead from the penalty spot and five minutes before half-time he completed his hat-trick with a deft flick following great work out on the left wing. On the stroke of half-time Joe Ferguson cut in and aimed a low ground shot perfectly into the far-right corner of the net to make it 4-0 and that’s how the scoreline stayed to the final whistle.

Guisborough’s next match is tomorrow with the annual Mickey Skinner Memorial Trophy match against Whitby Town at the KGV Stadium, kick-off 3pm. Guisborough Town have launched the new-look ‘Priorymen TV’ channel via YouTube with match action and post-match interviews filmed by Ian Rose.