Guisborough Town 4

Brandon Utd 1

GUISBOROUGH bounced back from a run of four consecutive defeats to serve notice of their determination to fight their way out of the division one relegation zone in the only Albany Northern League game to survive the weather last Saturday.

The Priorymen inflicted a comprehensive defeat on fellow strugglers Brandon United at the King George V Ground in a game which had everything for the spectator despite atrocious conditions.

Guisborough were the first to settle and come to terms with the weather. They could easily have opened their account on three minutes when a fine move through the middle saw Simon Kasonali skip past his marker to set up Paul Wilson, but the wind blew the ball to the right just as the striker teed up his shot and his effort skewed just wide.

Two minutes later, Wilson was fouled 25 yards out, but Kasonali's powerful free kick went straight into the wall.

A minute later a crisp passing move between Darren Sankey and Kasonali left Sankey in space on the left of the box, but his side-foot shot went across the goal.

Then on seven minutes Kasonali fought his way through a posse of defenders to shoot across the box, but Wilson was unable to make contact.

Brandon's first real chance came on nine minutes when a fine one-two between Danny O'Brien and Arron Scott carved an opening for Craig Coates, but his final effort went straight to Guisborough keeper Simon Corbett.

The home side went straight back on the attack and the pressure told on 11 minutes when they deservedly took the lead with a superb goal.

Steve Bell, who had been drafted in to shore up the midfield, picked out striker Lee Alexander on the edge of the box. With his back to goal he held off two rash tackles to swivel quickly to the left and neatly scoop the ball over the last defender and advancing keeper Danny Yates to open Guisborough's account.

Guisborough now had complete control of the game and they went close again on 16 minutes when Sankey's shot was charged down.

Moments later Wilson had a great chance to extend the lead when he fired in a low drive which was somehow deflected away from goal.

But the visitors showed they could still be dangerous on the break and they won a corner on 21 minutes. In the goalmouth scramble which followed, Corbett first kept out a close-range shot from O'Brien and then made an instinctive diving save when Marc Irvine fired the ball back into the area.

Brandon went close again when nippy striker Scott raced into the box, but his volley flew just wide.

The visitors had their best chance of the half on 28 minutes when Stephen Flockett picked up a loose ball just inside his own half and weaved his way down the right before sending in an inch-perfect pass to Neil Charlton lurking unmarked on the edge of the Guisborough area. The forward hit a perfect shot, but Corbett managed to get the slightest touch to turn the ball away from the target.

Guisborough then regained control and grabbed their second goal on 31 minutes. Bell played a ball into the box for Sankey, who used his power to shrug off two defenders and chip the ball through to the unmarked Austin Johnson. Although defender Ben Willing charged down his first effort, the striker twisted to slam home the rebound from close range.

Brandon almost pulled one back just before the break when Coates fired wide.

The second half started very much like the first, with Guisborough carving out the first chance on 49 minutes when Alexander cut in from the left and drilled in a low shot which went just wide.

They then had a golden chance to wrap the game up on 53 minutes when they won a penalty after Sankey raced in to nick the ball from full back Jamie Arthur 20 yards out. The Brandon man tried to redeem himself with a tackle from behind, but scythed the striker down.

Kasonali stepped up to take the resulting spot kick and hit it perfectly, but Yates managed to get down to turn the shot round.

Guisborough continued to press forward and were rewarded with their third goal on 64 minutes. Kasonali was well placed when a cross was only half cleared and he fired in a 25-yard thunderbolt which crashed down off the underside of the bar. Yates tried to scoop it out Roy Carroll-style, but the linesman was perfectly placed and indicated to the referee that the ball had crossed the line.

Credit should go to Brandon, who stepped up a gear and enjoyed a good spell of possession which created several good chances. They went close on 73 minutes when Coates sent in a sizzling cross for Scott, whose header from six yards went just over.

Brandon continued to press forward and reduced the deficit on 79 minutes when Scott raced down the right and sent in a looping cross for Flockett to head home from close range.

But Guisborough restored their three-goal advantage within three minutes when Brandon failed to deal with a loose ball in the box and it fell nicely for 17-year-old substitute Jonathon Taylor, prowling outside the box. He took one look up and saw the keeper off his line before sending a deft chip over Yates to claim his first goal for the club.

Guisborough finished the game on top and could easily have had a couple more but for the skills of Yates.

This was a spirited display from the cash-strapped Guisborough side and many supporters were glad to see several key players back, especially keeper Simon Corbett, bustling striker Darren Sankey and midfielder Austin Johnson.

Guisborough visit Esh Winning tomorrow, kick-off 3pm.

Guisborough: Corbett, Hyson, Jamieson, McMahon (McLean), Johnson, Sunley (Ritchie), Bell, Kasonali, Wilson, Sankey, Alexander (Taylor).

* A 30-yard strike by Simon Kasonali was the highlight for Guisborough on Tuesday night when they went down 4-1 at second-placed Newcastle Benfield Saints