Following victory in midweek, the Lions are pushing to end the weekend in the play-off places as table-toppers Radcliffe come to town, writes Scott Kelly.
Match sponsored by: ICM Debt Recovery
Match Ball sponsors: Pro-Fit Northern
Tickets will be on sale on the day at the turnstiles with payment by cash or card.
It is cash payments only inside the ground for programmes and 50/50 cash draw tickets. Food and drink from The Lions’ Diner and clubhouse food servery can be paid for by cash or card and the clubhouse accepts and prefers payment by card.
Tickets are priced at £12 adults, £8 concessions/students/registered disabled, U18’s £5 and accompanied U11’s £1.
Last Time Out
The Lions grabbed a 2-1 victory at lowly Atherton Collieries on Tuesday evening thanks to Liam Tongue and Gabriel Johnson’s goals. With the Worksop Town clash last Saturday being postponed, Guiseley’s last game prior to Tuesday was the 2-1 defeat at Stafford on 24th February.
The Boro also had their game postponed on Saturday against Morpeth Town, so their last match was the 2-1 victory at Ilkeston on 24th February, with Lois Maynard and Anthony Dudley grabbing the goals in a game which both sides finished with 10 men.
Previous Meetings
This clash is a rearranged fixture due to the original clash being postponed due to a frozen pitch on 2nd December date. The Lions won 4-3 at Radcliffe last month, despite Jameel Ible’s red card meaning the Lions played over 70 minutes with 10 men.
Radcliffe did the double over the Lions in 22/23 – a 4-2 victory at the Neuven Stadium in November 2022 and a 3-1 victory at Nethermoor the following February. The sides had not met prior to that since 2007.
The Lions’ Form Book
The Lions are crying out for consistency as they look to secure a play-off place come the end of the season. A win at Atherton followed a defeat at then bottom of the table Stafford which is a good summary of Guiseley’s current form.
They have been better on the road though with that Stafford defeat their only loss away since November. At home they have struggled however with only two home wins since the turn of the year.
A huge plus going into the latter part of the season is the return to the scoresheet of Gabriel Johnson. The Lions top goalscorer has struggled with injury problems lately but he got his 14th league goal of the season at Atherton, which was his first goal since the 4-0 victory over Matlock back in November.
Our Opponents – Radcliffe
Manager: Bernard Morley and Anthony Johnson
Stadium: Neuven Stadium
Nickname: The Boro
Current League Position: 1st
Radcliffe have not lost since the defeat to the Lions on 3rd February. That was five games ago and they have won three and drawn two of their last five matches.
The Boro appear to have one hand on the Northern Premier League title as they sit 15 points clear of 2nd placed Hyde United, with only 24 points left to play for.
Olly Thornley and Jude Oyibo have recently agreed new deals with the club. Winger Oyibo’s new deal will run until the end of the 24/25 season with Thornley signing a new two-year deal.
Jordan Hulme is the club’s top goalscorer with 18 goals. Josh Hancock has 16 with former Lions loanee Anthony Dudley looking to soon hit double figures as he currently has nine.
The Lions’ Team News
Andy Welsh will again be without the services of Kallan Murphy as the striker sits out the second game of his two-match suspension.
Reece Kendall could also be an injury concern after hobbling off from Tuesday night’s with at the Skuna Stadium.
The match at Atherton did provide valuable minutes for the returning Liam Tongue, Tom Denton, Gabriel Johnson and Jordi Nsaka with the quartet in line to make successive starts.
Tongue and Johnson marked their return to the starting 11 with the goals in midweek.
Lewis Whitham and Laurence Sorhaindo will miss out through injury.
What Are They Saying?
“We knew it was going to be tough. Second half we passed the ball a lot better but thought it was a real resilient performance”.
Boss Andy Welsh admitted his side were not at their absolute best but was pleased with their sides level of possession and victory on Tuesday evening.
“Credit to the lads, we’ve not played for 10 days. We’ve called upon experience to manage the game. Liam Tongue and Gabs (Gabriel Johnson) have waited for their chance. Jordi coming back in and we wanted to freshen it up”.
Welsh alluded to the depth in the squad and how important a factor it was in securing a positive result at Atherton.
“I have hit it hard and low. I will take it as they come, especially since it has been a while”.
Pleased to get on the scoresheet, Liam Tongue spoke post-match. He admitted the pitch wasn’t ideal but was pleased the side got the goals in the second half to win the game.
“We have said as a group sometimes it has to be horrible, it has to be dirty (in order to get a positive result). It’s probably the best we have played in terms of first and second contacts”.
The returning Tonguey appreciates that the way the team play at the moment isn’t what is most important. The side are at a crucial stage of the season and three points come above anything else, especially if the Lions are to be in the top five come the end of the season.
Tickets For Radcliffe
The squad would love your support so let’s get Nethermoor packed out for the visit of the league leaders!
Tickets for this game can only be purchased at the turnstiles on the day of the game. Cash and Card payments are accepted, and prices are as follows:
- Adults: £12
- Concessions (Over 66s/Students/Registered Disabled): £8
- 11-18 Year-Olds: £5
- Accompanied Under-11s: £1