Guisborough claim Marske scalp in memorable cup semi-final victory, but lose to North Shields

GUISBOROUGH Town pulled off a memorable victory over arch-rivals Marske United at the KGV Stadium to clinch a place in the final of the competition.

The only goal was a cracker, scored in the 78th minute by Guisborough midfielder Keelan Wright-Simpson who smashed home a glorious shot from the edge of the Marske penalty area into the roof of the net to spark wild celebrations among the home fans in a sizeable crowd of 626. With heavy snow swirling around the KGV pitch, Keelan’s winner came during a 15-minute purple patch for the Priorymen as they tore apart Marske to make a mockery of the fact that their rivals play in a league higher than themselves.

Guisborough rode their luck a little in the first half as Marske twice struck the woodwork in the 13th minute through Joe Wheatley and then on 24 minutes from Jack Blackford, Marske’s former Guisborough loanee. Earlier, Guisborough had gone close through the lively and hard-working Louis Johnson.

During the half-time break heavy snow began falling and it continued for about 20 minutes, possibly threatening the abandonment of the game, which took place last Wednesday evening. But thankfully it cleared around the 65th minute, and that coincided with by far Guisborough’s best spell of the game. The culmination of that passage of play by the Priorymen was that tremendous goal by Wright-Simpson with a superb shot which dipped just under the cross bar.

After the game an elated Guisborough manager Steve Bell said: “This has been a brilliant night for the club and me and my assistant manager Paul Crager couldn’t be more proud of the players. We were up against it right from the first whistle against an excellent Marske side who have demonstrated recently that they hardly ever lose football games.

“I thought we rode our luck a little in the first half hour but then we started to settle into the game well. In the second half though I definitely believe we were the better side and I don’t think Marske can have any complaints about the final scoreline."

Guisborough will now play Scarborough Athletic FC in the final of the North Riding Senior Cup at a venue to be fixed.

It was not such a happy outcome on Saturday, however as the Priorymen lost 4-2 away to high-flying North Shields in the Ebac Northern League – Division One.

Bell spoke of his “frustration” and felt too many of his players were well below par against Shields, particularly in the first half. Ironically, although the Priorymen went in level at 2-2 at half-time, they actually dominated the majority of the second half but Shields took their chances to win 4-2.

Guisborough’s new signing from Consett, central defender Matthew Ridley, made his debut for the Priorymen but there was nothing he could do as North Shields took the lead in the 27th minute through Dan Wilson.

Guisborough striker Louis Johnson forces his way through the Shields’ defence Picture: DAN CLARK

Undeterred, Guisborough equalised just three minutes later when Cole Kiernan latched on to a long kick upfield by his ‘keeper Robert Dean and lifted the ball over the Shields' ‘keeper Olly Marshall and into the empty net. Shields regained the lead with a great strike from Chris McDonald after a mazy run, but four minutes before half-time Guisborough battled back to get on level terms once again when Sam Webster cut in from the edge of the penalty area and played in Louis Johnson to hit the ball past Marshall for 2-2.

After the break Shields regained the lead again with an excellent header from Tom Bexton on 55 minutes, and just two minutes later Shields surged into a 4-2 lead with a goal from Brad Hird.

Bell said: “Overall, this was a frustrating day for us. I thought we were only about 60 per cent of our normal selves for most of the first half. The two goals we conceded in the second half were sloppy.”