GUISBOROUGH TOWN V PADIHAM

FA Vase 1st Round  - 22 October 2016

The FA Vase is back in the frame this week with a Round 1 tie at the King George V Stadium in Guisborough. A visit to the KGV is always a pleasure, but today the trees surrounding the ground are in their autumn colours, the grass is green and lush after a sharp shower, and the sun is shining on the North York Moors beyond the swimming pool roof.

Guisborough’s place in the first round is due to exemption from qualifying based on last year’s performance. Based on this year’s performance it will be a surprise to reach Round 2. They lie second bottom of the Northern League Division 1 after the departure of their long term boss down the road to Whitby Town, who then recruited a handful of the better players. They are also in the midst of an injury crisis.

Padiham are exactly mid-table in the equivalent North West Counties League Premier Division where they have as many wins as losses and a goal difference of zero. In recent years the NL has had the better of encounters with the NWCL but Guisborough will do well to maintain that trend here today. The omens stack up as the Priorymen’s home strip is Sunderland stripes, whereas the visitors’ is almost a Chelsea blue.

Padiham win some early corners, one resulting from a good shot from Joe Whittington, well saved by home keeper James Dawson. Guisborough get a set piece chance of their own via a free kick; Leon Carling gets some body part on it that requires keeper Michael Donlan to react quickly and palm the ball away.

A pattern emerges whereby Padiham take control of midfield, knock the ball up to centre forward James Dean and look for lay offs. Dean is good in the target man role and shooting opportunities arise; Garry Hunter hits the best one forcing another fine save from Dawson. Dean himself gets a chance with a glancing header but that is more comfortably saved.

For Guisborough, their attempts to keep possession generally results in the ball going backwards before being hit long into the channels. This is occasionally effective. Thibault Charmey gets clear but his attempt to chip the keeper is too low; Adam Cocks seems to have outpaced his marker to reach the bye-line but cannot make progress along it; and Thomas Bligh shows skill to beat a player or two before screwing one shot across rather than at the goal, then another well over the bar.

At the half hour Guisborough centre forward Connor Smith gets an accidental smack in the chops as he challenges for a high ball. He has to retire and for a few minutes his team are down to ten men and are under pressure. Dean slices a shot high and wide, and then Whittington has a header from point blank range saved by the inspired Dawson. Even when his save rebounds back off Whittington he is able to keep the ball out.

Despite the belated appearance of the Guisborough substitute, Padiham continue to dominate the play to half time. However in the last minute another Guisborough break gives Charmey a run in on goal from the left; but the keeper knows his angles and blocks without fuss.

That it is goalless at half time is due mainly to Dawson in the Guisborough goal who has made three excellent saves. Padiham are firmly on top but with nothing to show for it.

And right from the start of the second period Dawson is back in action with saves from Pickup and Whittington. Minutes later Kieron Pickup hits another shot, and this one is unstoppable, finding the top corner of the net and giving the visitors a deserved lead.

Guisborough respond with spirit. Charmey, despite being a little isolated up front, manages a shot narrowly wide and a couple of headers further off target. Padiham still look the more likely scorers with Dean continuing to feature. He has looked a better player with his back to goal than facing it, one run ending with a tame toe poke straight at the keeper, but with about ten minutes left he does turn and get a firm low shot on target. Dawson makes his expected good save but the parry merely presents substitute Aaron Taylor with a tap in to double the lead.

Guisborough try to respond and a good run from Bligh ends in a Donlon save, and at this end the rebound falls less favourably and a blocked shot loops up into the keeper’s hands. With time just about up Padiham midfielder Mark Coyne muscles his way down the right wing and crosses well for Dean to stretch out a long leg and volley the ball home for goal he has deserved on work rate alone.

Into time added Guisborough make a final substitution, but even bringing on Messi would not help now, and it finishes 0-3.

Guisborough’s effort could not be faulted but Padiham seemed to have more solidity about them and once ahead were coasting. The Priorymen’s struggle of a season will continue without the distraction of a FA Vase run. Padiham on the other hand look like they have a few more rounds in them.