GUISBOROUGH Town Manager Steve Bell was full of praise for his new squad after a brilliant weekend of festival of football at Redcar Town.

He hailed the inaugural Mo Mowlam Memorial Tournament as an all-round positive experience for his freshly-assembled group of players. After seeing his side beat Redcar Town 4-0 in the semi-final, and put up a determined display before being edged out 2-0 against Marske United in a keenly contested final, Bell said: “Overall the weekend of football produced many definite positives for us. I’m absolutely delighted that a Guisborough team that is virtually brand new very quickly adapted and worked out just how we want to play going forward.

“I think we have made some brilliant signings in the past week or so which always helps with team morale and building up some real momentum to establish a really good platform heading towards our first league match at home to old rivals Bishop Auckland on Saturday."

The new-look Guisborough squad – almost unrecognisable from last season – stormed through their semi-final clash with hosts Redcar Town on Saturday with an impressive 4-0 victory – although the Priorymen didn’t have it all their own way against opponents who will play one step below them in the Northern League Division Two this coming season.

The Guisborough goal suffered several scares in the first 20 minutes during which Redcar Town were unlucky not to score, with new Guisborough goalkeeper Rob Dean making some excellent saves to keep the home side at bay. Guisborough got their noses in front with a beautifully-worked goal in the 32nd minute brilliantly fashioned by new midfielder Brad Plant and coolly finished off by a trialist player. Two minutes later Plant was again the creator when he sent the impressive Ben Jackson clear and he slotted home via the far post to make it 2-0, then in the 38th minute the livewire Jackson became goal provider as he found newly-signed Guisborough striker Louis Johnson, who capped an excellent display by tapping home from close range.

After weathering sustained Redcar pressure Guisborough made it 4-0 in the 75th minute when Plant crowned an excellent all-round display by slotting home past the onrushing Redcar 'keeper.

Later on Saturday afternoon Marske faced Redcar Athletic in the other semi-final and stormed through 5-0.

In Sunday's final, Guisborough had to make several enforced changes due to player unavailability but they almost made a sensational start after only three minutes when a shot from Layton Watts thudded against the Marske bar. The Marske woodwork again denied the Priorymen in the 21st minute when the lively Ben Jackson darted through the Marske defence, but his shot struck the post.

Marske took the lead in the 35th minute when a Mazy Dicicco run helped put Connor Smith clear to fire home for 1-0.

In the second half Guisborough struggled to make any real inroads into the Marske defence apart from some dangerous raids down the left flank, and it was Marske who extended their lead in the 63rd minute when Hopson latched on to a short corner and cut in unchallenged to lash the ball home from 18 yards.