GUISBOROUGH Town completed their challenging pre-season programme at the KGV on Saturday with another impressive victory, this time over Darlington Reserves by 2-1.

It was the Priorymen’s seventh win from the nine friendlies they have played, which includes only two defeats. This excellent run of form puts them in great spirits ahead of the first fully competitive game of the season tomorrow against Teesside rivals Stockton Town at the KGV Stadium in an Extra Preliminary Round Tie of the Emirates FA Cup (KO 3pm).

Guisborough Manager Gary Forster is delighted with the form and progress of his squad and particularly the early showings of new signings including Brad Mills, Jack Connor, Mark Robinson, Joe Ferguson and Nathan Steel, who all look great additions to the squad. The match was fairly even throughout with Guisborough stalwart Gary Wood hitting the crossbar with a long range shot and a similar shot from Darlington which rattled the Priorymen’s crossbar. And one of last season’s stars Steve Roberts has picked up excitingly where he left off by continuing his rich vein of form, laced with several superb goals. Against Darlington Reserves on Saturday he was the match-winner with two quality goals, particularly the second one which was a fantastic solo effort starting from the half-way line.

Roberts had given his side the lead after 15 minutes when he rounded off a superb team passing movement to calmly and cleverly stroke the ball home. Darlington equalised with a shot that crept under the diving Guisborough goalkeeper James Dawson but in the closing stages Roberts restored Guisborough’s lead with that wonderful run and winner.