By Matt Smith
May 10 2015

Local non-league side Guiseley AFC won promotion to the Conference Premier after a thrilling 3-2 play-off final victory over Lanchashire rivals Chorley. After finding themselves 2-0 at half-time, the Lions produced an unlikely comeback to disspell the nightmares of previous play-off failures.

Guiseley went into the match, played at Chorley's home ground Victory Park, as slight underdogs due to Chorley's superior league position and home advantage. However they were keen to undo the heartbreak of the previous season's play-off failure and were confident of victory.

But it was Chorley who were to come out of the blocks fastest. Similarly to last Saturday, the Guiseley defence were caught sleeping early on and it only took the home side five minutes to open the scoring, via an Andy Teague header. Chorley were to double their lead after only 23 minutes when Paul Jarvis' shot took a heavy deflection to wrongfoot Steve Drench.

It was Drench who went over to the 921 travelling Guiseley fans at half-time imploring them to make some noise and get behind their team, and they did so to excellent effect.

The Lions came out roaring in the second half and pulled one back just past the hour mark as top scorer Adam Boyes latched on the Danny Boshell's lofted ball and slotted past the Chorley keeper to begin the comeback.

Chorley keeper Sam Ashton then left the field through injury to be replaced by Aaron Grundy and the new man was beated on 73 minutes when Liam Dickinson, who had replaced the injured Oli Johnson at half-time, got his rewards for all his hard work when his diving header connected with Wayne Brooksby's cross to level the scores.

From here there was only going to be one winner and the Lions took the lead when Nicky Boshell nipped into the box to grab the winner on 78 minutes surrounded by a static Chorley defensive line. 

Matt Flynn thought he had equalised for Chorley with a header off the underside of the bar but the linesman's flag saved the Lions and the travelling support of even more heartache. 

Manager Mark Bower said, "As soon as we scored we seemed in complete control, they looked like they'd gone and I knew we would go on to win".

Congratulations to Guiseley AFC on their second promotion in 5 seasons, and good luck next season!

I'd watch out Leeds fans, they're only a couple of leagues off of us...

Guiseley finally win promotion after thrilling comeback

Discussion started by The Mighty Whites (IP Logged), 10/05/2015 12:47

The Mighty Whites
10/05/2015 12:47

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