Guisborough Town 1, Ryhope CW 1 (Ebac Northern League – First Division)

EASTER Saturday saw the last home game of the season for Guisborough Town when they faced Ryhope CW, a team ten places higher in the table, but it didn’t look like that out on the pitch.

For the majority of the first half Guisborough dominated in the final third but they just couldn’t break through a physical Ryhope side with the all-important first goal.

The Priorymen’s chances started early as the sixth minute, when Shabs Mohammed took a free kick from deep which met the head of the towering centre back Matthew Ridley, but the ball just missed the top corner. Chances came thick and fast for Guisborough in the first 20 minutes, and as half time loomed it still looked as though the home side were going to get a deserved goal as a shot from Guisborough captain, JJ Bartliff clipped the crossbar and went over for a goal kick.

As the second half started it seemed that all Guisborough's first half pressure would be wasted when Ryhope took the lead from the penalty spot in the 56th minute through James Ellis.

Going behind seemed to jolt the Priorymen back into their first half form as some lovely attacking play was followed by a cheeky back heel from Ben Jackson, who found Jason Blackburn. He struck the ball hard but the 'keeper got down to make a good block.

Six minutes later, though, Jackson showed his worth as he picked the ball up from the right back position, then took on two men as he ran diagonally towards the box. As he entered the penalty area, he managed to draw a foul and win Guisborough a spot kick of their own. Cole Kiernan stepped up and slotted it away to make the game all square at 1-1.

The game seemed to be going Guisborough’s way as they were mounting attack after attack but Ryhope picked the ball up in the middle of the field and played some good passing football to break down the Priorymen.

In the final minute of stoppage time Ryhope got a free kick near the corner flag which was whipped in dangerously, but Ridley was up for the challenge and got his body in the way to see the game out.

The final whistle brought the curtain down on Guisborough's home matches. The league season concludes on Saturday at Guisborough's high-flying Teesside neighbours Thornaby (ko 3pm).

Meanwhile, following the announcement that Guisborough's North Riding Senior Cup Final against Scarborough is to be played at York City's ground on Wednesday, May 4 (ko 7.30pm), arrangements for tickets and coach travel to the game will be announced shortly.