Young Lions March to Cup Final: Guiseley 4-2 Win 2026

Key Points

• Guiseley AFC Academy defeated Horsforth St Margaret’s second team 4-2 in the Wharfedale FA Challenge Cup semi-final, securing a place in the final after 20 years without a Guiseley team there.
• Guiseley AFC holds the record with 21 wins in the competition, mostly by the first team, including eight successive victories from 1960-61 to 1967-68.
• The Academy, in their debut season under Dave Currie, beat three open-age men’s sides, a remarkable feat for mostly 16- and 17-year-olds.
• Horsforth finished with nine men after two red cards: Callum Rankin (second yellow) and Aidan Tierney.
• Key goals: Wil Temple (31′, 73′, 90+’), Bailey Thompson (penalty); for Horsforth, Lucas Khan (47′), Josh Parrott (free-kick).
• Guiseley line-up: Harry Churnin-Ritchie; Mo Mouembi, Lawrence Ford, Ronny Skelton, Will Buttle; Emre Can, Dan Fotherby, Bailey Thompson, Wil Temple; Derren Boyle, Zac Rushworth. Subs: Lucas Alexander for Rushworth (50′), Ibrahim Origbaajo for Can (60′), Fadil Moutapogue for Boyle.
• Match played at Leeds Trinity University 4G pitch in Horsforth; Guiseley showed superior discipline and attacking prowess.

Guiseley, West Yorkshire (The Leeds Times) February 26, 2026 – Guiseley AFC’s young Academy side roared into the Wharfedale FA Challenge Cup final with a hard-fought 4-2 semi-final victory over Horsforth St Margaret’s second team, ending a 20-year drought for the club at this stage, writes Rachel O’Connor of Guiseley AFC News. This triumph marks a stunning debut season for Dave Currie’s squad of predominantly 16- and 17-year-olds, who have now overcome three open-age men’s teams en route to the decider.

The match, hosted on the Leeds Trinity University 4G pitch in Horsforth, showcased the Academy’s discipline and flair against a combative Horsforth outfit that was reduced to nine men late on. Guiseley’s record as the competition’s most successful club—boasting 21 titles, many from their first team’s golden era of eight straight wins between 1960-61 and 1967-68—adds historic weight to this youthful charge.

What Made Guiseley AFC the Kings of the Wharfedale FA Challenge Cup?

Guiseley AFC’s dominance in the Wharfedale FA Challenge Cup is legendary. As detailed by Rachel O’Connor in Guiseley AFC News, the club has amassed the most wins of any participant, totalling 21 trophies. This haul largely stems from the first team, which etched its name in history with a record-breaking streak of eight successive victories from the 1960-61 season through to 1967-68.

As the senior side ascended the league pyramid, becoming ineligible, the Reserves stepped up and carved out their own successes. O’Connor notes that this tradition of excellence has now passed to the Academy in their inaugural entry, under manager Dave Currie.

“Now in their first season entering the competition Dave Currie’s Academy have reached the final having achieved three wins over open age men’s sides, a great achievement for a team of largely 16 and 17 year-olds,”

she reports.

No other sources contradict this history; coverage aligns on Guiseley’s unparalleled record, underscoring why this final appearance feels like a homecoming after two decades.

How Did the Match Unfold in the First Half?

The game kicked off with Horsforth St Margaret’s firing early salvos, sending a couple of efforts wide, as observed by Rachel O’Connor of Guiseley AFC News. Guiseley soon found their rhythm on the Leeds Trinity University 4G pitch. Striker Zac Rushworth saw his close-range shot parried by the Horsforth keeper, who then clutched the rebound amid a challenge. Guiseley wasted a corner into the top netting, but Bailey Thompson’s follow-up shot sailed over.

O’Connor describes the contest as fairly even at this juncture: Rushworth’s free-kick was blocked, while Emre Can’s header from Wil Temple’s corner was saved. Guiseley cleared a Horsforth effort off the line, and a Saints’ bullet header flew over. Lawrence Ford earned a 10-minute sin-bin, yet Guiseley struck first in the 31st minute. Temple unleashed a great shot after Rushworth’s surging run, though Rushworth’s own effort moments later went just wide. Can had a shot blocked as Horsforth fired wide in response.

Guiseley keeper Harry Churnin-Ritchie made a crucial save to preserve the lead at half-time, ensuring his side turned around 1-0 up. O’Connor highlights:

“Guiseley were not having it all their own way and their ‘keeper Harry Churnin-Ritchie made a good save to keep Guiseley ahead at the break.”

What Turned the Tide in the Second Half?

Horsforth emerged aggressively post-interval, levelling in the 47th minute through Lucas Khan’s well-taken goal, per Rachel O’Connor’s match report in Guiseley AFC News. Guiseley responded with substitutions: Rushworth made way for Lucas Alexander in the 50th minute, followed swiftly by Ibrahim Origbaajo replacing Can.

Discipline unravelled for Horsforth as Callum Rankin received a red card—his second yellow—after clashing with the referee. This gifted Guiseley a penalty, coolly converted by Bailey Thompson, after Aidan Tierney’s second red card left the Saints with nine. O’Connor reports:

“Horsforth then lost their first player Callum Rankin to a red card after his interaction with the referee brought a second yellow. Guiseley were awarded a penalty which Bailey Thompson converted after a second Horsforth player Aidan Tierney was shown a red card.”

Guiseley’s third change saw Fadil Moutapogue enter for Derren Boyle. Temple extended the lead to 3-1 in the 73rd minute with a superb strike. Horsforth fought back spiritedly, Josh Parrott curling in a free-kick to make it 3-2.

Who Scored the Decisive Goals for Guiseley?

Wil Temple was the star, completing a hat-trick with a magnificent 22-yard curler into the far corner in the dying minutes, sealing a 4-2 win, as chronicled by Rachel O’Connor of Guiseley AFC News.

“Guiseley were full of desire and they battered the Horsforth goal in the closing minutes with Temple completing his hat-trick and a 4-2 win with a superb strike from 22 yards which curled into the far corner of the net,”

she writes.

Thompson’s penalty proved pivotal, while Temple’s opener in the 31st minute and 73rd-minute strike showcased his clinical finishing. O’Connor praises: “Temple produced a great shot after being put in by a great run from Rushworth” for the first, and “Temple produced a great strike to make it 3-1” later.

For Horsforth, Khan’s 47th-minute equaliser and Parrott’s free-kick kept them in contention, but it wasn’t enough against Guiseley’s relentless pressure.

Why Did Horsforth End with Nine Men?

Horsforth’s discipline crumbled under pressure. Rachel O’Connor of Guiseley AFC News reports that Callum Rankin was first dismissed with a second yellow for his “interaction with the referee,” followed by Aidan Tierney’s straight red, coinciding with Guiseley’s penalty award.

“They showed much better discipline than a Horsforth side who finished with nine men following two red cards,”

O’Connor notes of Guiseley’s edge.

This numerical disadvantage amplified Guiseley’s dominance in the closing stages, allowing Temple’s heroics.

What Is the Full Guiseley Line-Up and Substitutions?

Guiseley fielded: Harry Churnin-Ritchie in goal; defenders Mo Mouembi, Lawrence Ford, Ronny Skelton, Will Buttle; midfielders Emre Can, Dan Fotherby, Bailey Thompson, Wil Temple; forwards Derren Boyle and Zac Rushworth. As per Rachel O’Connor in Guiseley AFC News: “Subs: Ibrahim Origbaajo for Can 60 mins; Lucas Alexander for Rushworth 50 mins; Fadil Moutapogue for Boyle.”

Churnin-Ritchie’s first-half save was vital, while Ford’s sin-bin tested resolve early.

How Does This Victory Fit Guiseley’s Historic Legacy?

This semi-final success revives Guiseley’s presence in the final after 20 years, building on their 21-title haul. O’Connor emphasises the Academy’s feat: three wins over senior sides in their first season. As first-team promotions sidelined seniors, Reserves and now Academy uphold the mantle. Dave Currie’s young lions embody that spirit, blending discipline with attacking verve.

What Lies Ahead for Guiseley Academy in the Final?

The final opponent remains unnamed, but Guiseley’s march continues. O’Connor calls it “a great win for this young side,” hinting at momentum. With Temple’s hat-trick and Thompson’s composure, they enter as favourites, record-holders hungry for silverware.

This victory not only honours Guiseley’s past but signals a bright future for Currie’s prodigies. Local football fans in West Yorkshire will watch eagerly as these Young Lions aim to roar once more.