Blyth Spartans v Guiseley | Saturday, 26 April 2025 - 15:00 | League

A goal in each half was enough for play-off chasing Guiseley to take all three points at Croft Park.

Guiseley took the lead on 35 minutes when Joe Ackroyd rifled in from close range, before Will Longbottom fired in from then penalty spot on 72 minutes.

Spartans made three changes from the side that lost 3-2 away to Lancaster last weekend, with Zack Simpson, Robbie Kinniburgh and Paddy McClafferty coming into the starting line up.

It was a quiet opening period, with the only effort at goal coming within the first couple of minutes as Guiseley intercepted a ball from Lewis Baker as Spartans played out from the back, but the long-range effort was tame and was easily dealt with by the Blyth keeper.

A few minutes later Will Longbottom blasted over when one-on-one after a blocked clearance fell to him in the box - however his blushes were spared by the linesman's flag.

While Guiseley looked the better side, both teams were guilty of being wasteful in when in promising positions.

Spartans' best opportunity in the opening half hour came through Cyril Giraud, as he showed great feet to work some space in the middle but his attempted through ball to Charlie Aitken was well intercepted by the outstretched leg of Lebrun Mbeka.

Guiseley then soon took the lead with the game's first shot since the second minute. A low cross from former Darlington man John Lufudu found Ackroyd unmarked six yards out, he took a touch and lashed the ball in past Baker.

Half time: Blyth Spartans 0-1 Guiseley

The second half was an improvement from Blyth as they started brightly. Giraud once more caused Guiseley problems as he drove forward before slipping the ball to Simpson on the left.

He cut back and laid the ball off to Nicky Deverdics, but the Spartans skipper couldn't keep his shot down.

A few moments later Kinniburgh whipped in a dangerous ball to Charlie Aitken, but he couldn't direct the ball goalwards.

Blyth then had a superb chance to equaliser just before the hour, with Giraud once again involved. He picked up the ball on the right and span past his man before drilling a low ball across goal that somehow evaded both Aitken and Simpson.

Soon after, Baker was called into action as he did brilliantly to deny Mbeka from point blank range as a rebound fell to the Guiseley defender in the box following a set-piece.

Despite Blyth's improvement, they just lacked that bit of quality in their final ball, and on 72 minutes they were punished as Guiseley were awarded a penalty as Joel Holvey was harshly adjudged to have fouled Lufudu. Longbottom then made no mistake from 12 yards.

Spartans continued to try and find a way into the game but in truth Guiseley saw the rest of the game out comfortably.

Full time: Blyth Spartans 0-2 Guiseley

Blyth Spartans - Baker, Kinniburgh, Holvey, McClafferty, Almond, Pentland, Giraud, Richardson, Aitken (Burke 88'), Simpson (Reed 73'), Deverdics (C)

Subs not used - Norvell, Griggs, Whittaker

Guiseley - Cracknell, Brown, Ible (C), Ekpolo (Bentley 85'), Mbeka, Lawlor, Lufudu, Spencer (Moke 76'), Whitham (Johnson 63'), Ackroyd, Longbottom (Odunston 75')

Subs not used - Dallimore

Goals - Ackroyd (35'), Longbottom (72' pen)

Referee - Tyler Dutton