Penrith 2 Guisborough Town 3 (Northern League – Division One)

GUISBOROUGH Town withstood a late Penrith rally on Saturday to claim a deserved victory which avenged a 2-1 home league defeat by the Cumbrian side back in November last year.

The impressive Priorymen had cruised into a 3-0 lead before the hour mark with excellently-worked goals from James Dillon (13th minute), Ben Jackson (51st) and Cole Kiernan (57th). But then a Penrith side languishing second from bottom in the table gave Guisborough a bit of a late fright with goals from Luke Brown (76th) and Gregory McCaragher (80th), setting up a nervy finish for the Priorymen.

But despite conceding the two late goals, Guisborough never really looked in danger of losing their hard-won lead and the Priorymen almost took their goals tally to four late on. Left back James Risborough put the after-burners on and streaked down the left wing and cut inside, but his goal-bound shot was blocked on the line by Penrith defender Aiden Howarth.

After the game a delighted Guisborough manager Steve Bell said: “This was a good performance from the lads. We controlled most of the game and looked comfortable as we built up a commanding lead with 57 minutes on the clock.

"Myself and my assistant manager Paul Crager then took what we thought was a calculated risk by taking off three players who we thought needed looking after for some tough games coming up and we suffered a little. Penrith got two late goals and although I wouldn’t go as far as to say that we hung on but it was definitely a bit nervy for us towards the end.

“Overall it was a good, well-earned three points so roll on next week.” 

Guisborough were cheered on by a healthy contingent of keen KGV supporters who helped swell the crowd to 130 on a bright but very breezy afternoon. On Saturday Guisborough play West Auckland FC away at the Wanted Stadium, kick-off 3pm.