An ultimately heart-breaking defeat in West Yorkshire, which was marked by controversy both on and off the pitch. Despite the Owls’ players working like Trojans and dominating large chunks of the first-half, it was the Lions who narrowly prevailed.

It was an unchanged starting XI from Saturday with the only change being Josh Batty replacing Connor Southern on the bench:

Goal: Dylan Parkin
Defence: Sam Topliss, Tim Lowe, Oli Donald, Paul Walker
Midfield: Lewis Collins, Jack Richardson, Alex Flett (captain), Jon Oglesby
Attack: Scott Vernon, Brody Robertson

Subs: Matt Bloomer, Danny North, Mark Gray, Laurence McKay, Craig Disley, Josh Batty, David Birch

The replay got off to a fast start, with Robertson going close in the first action. Lowe then needed to be alert to make a fine defensive intervention before Walker headed too high at the back post.

Clee had settled superbly into the game against their National North opponents. More pressure was applied as a Collins volley from 18 yards was cleared off the line by James and then, on 16 minutes, came one of the pivotal moments of the whole night.

Robertson showed great pace to burn off a defender and his low shot flew past home keeper Green. As the travelling fans rose to their feet in the Main Stand expecting the net to bulge, it cannoned away to safety off the upright.

After this near miss, Guiseley came into the game and it was more even, with both teams having spells in the ascendancy. It was still the Owls that looked more likely though at this stage.

Centre-half Donald, who once again was forming a solid partnership with Lowe, caught a flying elbow flush in the face in an aerial contest. The referee surprisingly let this pass without any action. Shortly afterwards, great persistence from Collins set-up Vernon, who curled wide.

In the 40th minute, the Lions had their best moment of the half when Heaton let fly from 20 yards. However, away stopper Parkin was equal to the challenge, rising well to tip the ball over.

The Owls went in to the dressing rooms reflecting that they should probably have been in the lead after an impressive display.

HT Guiseley 0 Cleethorpes Town 0

Clee made a substitution at the break with Jack Richardson being withdrawn in favour of Craig Disley. It was the home side who started the second 45 on the front foot but without causing undue alarm in the visiting ranks.

However, this changed after 55 minutes, when Parkin swooped down to his right to make a superb save from a Hatfield volley. Shortly after this, the Owls fell behind.

As Clee appealed vainly for an offside, a ball forward found Smith on the edge of the 6-yard box and, as he turned away from goal, Sam Topliss slid in. Despite going to ground, the defender appeared to get a decisive touch before contacting the Guiseley man. To the dismay of the Owl army, referee Smith pointed to the spot. Up stepped Hatfield but Dylan Parkin, who was outstanding all match, kept him out. Agonisingly, the rebound fell to the striker who gratefully fired in.

Despite this setback, the Owls were continuing to give everything for the cause. The next 10 minutes ebbed and flowed before a moment of brilliance from Jon Oglesby restored parity. Receiving the ball on the right-hand apex of the box, the winger flicked it inside his marker and curled a delicious curler beyond Green.

This sparked wild celebrations amongst the superb travelling support but, with just under 15 to play, Guiseley moved ahead once more. A cross from the left was met by Odejayi, who rose well to direct his header into the corner.

A couple of substitutions followed with the double threat of Danny North and Josh Batty coming on for Paul Walker and Scot Vernon respectively.

If the Owls thought that the rub of the green had been very much against them, it got worse after 82 minutes as the visitors were reduced to 10 men. Oli Donald, who had been booked earlier, saw yellow again for a challenge near the centre-circle. As the crestfallen young defender trooped away, he could look back on another fine performance, reflected by an ovation from the supporters.

The match now threatened to boil over, with many Owls’ fans voicing their fury in the direction of referee Smith.

Despite being a man light, Clee refused to be cowed and, in fact, pressed the Lions back. Going for broke to keep the Cup dream alive, balls were played into to the danger zone but luck was not on the Owls’ side.

After 4 minutes of added time, the curtain fell on a record-breaking FA Cup run and it was Guiseley who progressed to the final qualifier.

FT Guiseley 2 (Hatfield 59, Odejayi 76) Cleethorpes Town 1 (Oglesby 72) Attendance: 384

Difficult to know where to start! Firstly, a great team performance from the Owls against a side from two divisions higher in the pyramid. Particularly in the first half, we played some excellent football. Perhaps if Brody’s shot had gone in, it would have been a different story. If only…

Never like to be too critical of the officials, as they have a difficult enough job to do. However, hard to fathom some of the decisions from the referee and I have marked his performance accordingly in my official Club report to the FA. Hopefully, we will receive some clarification on the more contentious moments.

Who I will reserve my disdain for is Marcus Bignot. The former boss of our neighbours disgraced himself after the final whistle by allegedly threatening to head-butt one of our young fans. Despite chants of “Grimsby reject” in his direction, this type of behaviour has no place at any level. The scars of Blundell Park obviously run deep.

Finally, no ill-will at all towards the Lions’ players and fans. A robust and competitive 180 minutes of Cup football saw you progress – I wish you the best as you try to claim a place in the First Round.

Anyway, onwards and upwards to another knockout game at the weekend, this time in the FA Trophy.

Details:
FA Trophy – Preliminary Round
Radcliffe FC (away)
Neuven Stadium, Colshaw Close East, Radcliffe, Manchester, M26 3PE
Saturday 13th October – 3pm (if level after 90 minutes, replay at New Linden next Tuesday)

Admission:
Adults £8, Concessions £5, Under 17s £2, Under 16s free

UP THE OWLS!