The Lions will look to build on Tuesday night’s victory, as they face top of the league South Shields at Nethermoor Park on Saturday afternoon in a 3pm kick-off, writes Harry Ware.

Match sponsored by: Chris Wright Road Planing

Tickets can be purchased online in advance for home supporters here and away supporters here, with fans being segregated for this game. Away fans from South Shields will be allocated the Railway End and JM Glendinning seated stand with entry via turnstiles 5-8.

Tickets will also be on sale on the day at the turnstiles with payment by cash only, it is also 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.

Please note drums are NOT permitted at Nethermoor.

Previous Meetings

South Shields left it late last time out against the Lions in the reverse fixture, with a 90th minute winner from Mackenzie Heaney giving the Mariners all three points in September after Luke Dean had levelled the scores in the first half.

Saturday’s game will be just the second time the two sides have met competitively in recent history.

A pre-season friendly between the two in 2019 ended in a 6-0 victory for the Lions, with Gabriel Johnson getting on the scoresheet four times in that game.

The Lions’ Form Book

A brace from Leigh Whelan was enough to give Guiseley all three points at Turnbull Ground on Tuesday night, as the Lions overcame the challenge of Whitby Town.

The win was the Lions’ fourth in their last five games, and their first away victory since mid-October.

Three league wins in a row at Nethermoor puts the Lions in good stead going into Saturday’s game, and Paul Phillips’ side will look to extend that run beyond the weekend.

A Look At South Shields

League leaders have had an incredible season under former Sunderland frontman Kevin Phillips.  

The former Premier League golden boot winner has taken the Mariners to the top of the Northern Premier, with just three losses in 22 games this season.  

South Shields also went on an Emirates FA Cup run, beating National League side Scunthorpe United on their way to the First Round of the competition, where they would eventually be knocked out by Forest Green Rovers, after an incredible half-way line goal from another former Sunderland man in Connor Wickham.

(Image Credit: South Shields FC) 

Saturday’s visitors are unbeaten in five, however have struggled against teams at the top this season, with two of their three losses against play-off contenders Hyde United and Warrington Town.  

Phillips will be hoping his can extend their current unbeaten run to six games at Nethermoor when they face the Lions and will be looking for top scorer Darius Osei to play a vital part in doing so.  

Formerly of Oldham Athletic, Osei has scored ten goals for the Mariners this season and will be looking to add to that on Saturday afternoon.

A Look At The Lions

Adam Haw is likely to feature after recovering from illness to play the second half at Whitby on Tuesday night.

Jake Cassidy was again named on the bench in midweek as he continues his recovery from injury.

Spencer Harris is likely to be the only player unavailable for selection by Paul Phillips, with the Lions boss going into the weekend with an almost injury free squad to choose from against the league leaders.

What Are They Saying?

Paul Phillips spoke to us after the game at Whitby Town, and was delighted with the performance of his players away from home:

“Best win since I’ve been at the club, to a man everyone stood up, first half we had the wind and took advantage of it, but then second half we’ve defended brilliantly, our shape was good, could’ve scored another couple more goals, application out of this world”

“When I came to the football club, I said to them before the game, we knew that this team and this squad had massive ability. What I did question was their attitude and their desire to keep the ball out the net, and to be organised and to work hard. I think if they show that most weeks, we’ll be a lot further forward than I thought we would be at this stage”

“It’s a team as one effort and three points I thought we really deserved” – Paul Phillips 

“We could’ve made it 3-0 first half, we’ve got a good squad, they’re starting to believe in what we want them to do”

Phillips emphasised that there is still a lot of work to do before the Lions can get comfortable:

“There’s still a long way to go, we’ve still got a lot of work to do, and we won’t stop that until we are where we need to be”

The Lions boss also previewed the game against league leaders South Shields, stating that his players are up for it:

“We’ve got a big test Saturday. They’ve been here to watch us tonight. It’s a massive test South Shields, it will be a big crowd, three unbeaten at home I think we are, bring it on!”

“They won’t relish coming to our place knowing our record from what we’ve got”

Leigh Whelan also spoke to us after the game, expressing the squad’s relief of getting through a game with poor conditions:

“It was horrible (the conditions), back to the walls in the second half, luckily we a goal or two in the first half just to get it over the line”

“Probably the first two shots I had (goals), happy enough to get on the scoresheet and win the game, three points is more important though”

Whelan joined the club near Christmas, having played in Chesterfield’s academy prior to joining the Lions. The midfielder told us he was delighted with the two goals against Whitby, and how he has enjoyed his time at Guiseley so far:

“He’s given me a bit of license to get forward, so I’m trying to add it to my game, so thankfully I got one or two tonight”

“It’s been brilliant, I’m really enjoying it (at Guiseley)”

Whelan also spoke ahead of Saturday’s clash with South Shields, stating that him and his teammates are relishing the challenge at Nethermoor:

“A big challenge, but we’ll be up for it, we have two wins now, so we’ll look to get a third now”

Tickets for the game with South Shields can be purchased at the turnstiles on the night with cash payment only or online in advance here. Don’t forget to pick up a matchday programme for just £3, it is packed full with exclusive content with what you will find inside here.