Guiseley AFC 0 Fleetwood Town FC 2

Saturday December 1st 2007 UniBond League Premier Division

Crowd 417

Goals: FTFC – Peter Wright 8, Andy Bell 19

Fleetwood Town earned another vital three points as their promotion chase continued with this impressive defeat of wealthy Guiseley. This was undoubtedly Town's finest display of the campaign to date; a performance which combined the flowing football of the first half and a rugged, professional approach when Guiseley finally raised their game and re-organised in the second half. Martin Moran made a welcome return at the back in place of Phil Robinson who replaced the suspended Nathan Pond in midfield. Zak Hibbert, a pre-match loan signing from Burscough, replaced Mike Hale in goal; regular number one Danny Hurst remaining on the injured list with centre half Jonathan Smith.

The opening 45 minutes was one way traffic and it was no exaggeration to say that the visitors could and should have been six goals ahead at the break. Christmas came early when Fleetwood took the lead after eight minutes; the now familiar corner kick routine of Jamie Milligan picking out Keiran Walmsley lurking on the edge of the penalty area leading to Walmsley's miscued volley being re-directed towards goal by Peter Wright. It should have been an easy save for the Guiseley goalkeeper but to his dismay, and the delight of the Cod Army massed behind his goal, the ball slipped out of his grasp and over the line. Boosted by this early festive gift, Town searched for a second and Andy Bell obliged with a well taken finish after a clever move down the left involving the hugely impressive Jerome Watt.

The Guiseley defence was all at sea, the pantomime effect enhanced by several raging arguments amongst members of their beleagured back four. A Milligan inspired move carved out an opening for Bell who, after beating the woefully inefficient Guiseley off side trap for the umpteenth time was denied what looked a certain goal by the Guiseley keeper whose advance off his line enabled him to block Bell's effort with his legs. A dazzling run down the left by Watt, followed by an inch perfect cross, almost led to a second goal for Bell; his out-steetched boot not quite able to direct the ball on target. Watt caused further mayhem down the left before unleashing a ferocious strike which rebounded off the cross bar. As the pressure increased, the chances continued to arrive like number 14 buses; Milligan firing over with the goal gaping and Wright twice hitting shots just wide of the target. The carnage caused by this whirwind display by Fleetwood meant that Town's debutant goalkeeper, 18 year old Zak Hibbert, had been a virtual spectator during a first half which had seen this talented Fleetwood side at their very best.

Hibbert was to see more action in the second period as Guiseley re-organised defensively and played with greater pride. However, the better chances still fell the way of the visitors; the highlights being Ricky Mercer's header against the woodwork and Watt forcing a fine save from the Guiseley keeper after a glorious move involving Walmsley, Bell and Milligan.

One of Fleetwood's unsung heroes, left back Jerome Fitzgerald, was a deserved recipient of the post match man of the match award; the big defender once again proving an inspirational figure at the back for Town. Almost as impressive was Phil Robinson who gave a Nathan Pondesque performance in midfield meaning that the absence of the big midfielder was never a concern. Shaun Beeley was excellent at right full back whilst Watt, Milligan, Mercer, Hibbert and Wright also impressed on a day when Fleetwood's promotion credentials were there for all to see.

Team: Hibbert, Beeley, Fitzgerald, Moran, Mercer, Robinson (Brown), Walmsley, Milligan, Wright (Foster), Bell (Denney), Watt