23/24 Match Preview: Bamber Bridge

Guiseley will look to bounce back from defeat last time out when they host Bamber Bridge on Saturday, writes Scott Kelly.

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.

Our Opponents – Bamber Bridge

Founded: 1952 (merged with Walton-Le-Dale in 1974)
Manager: Jamie Milligan
23/24 Top goalscorer: Harry Scarborough (6)
Nickname: Brig
Home Stadium: Sir Tom Finney Stadium
Capacity: 2,642 (499 seated)

It is worth remembering that Saturday’s opponents were 90 minutes away from National League North football, before falling in the play-off final to Warrington Town 1-0 at the end of last season. Their visit to West Yorkshire this weekend is their second of three consecutive away matches as they look to maintain their unbeaten start to 2024.

They unfortunately have not kicked on since that final and find themselves 14th in the NPL. They have enjoyed a bit of good form recently though and have only lost one of their last seven league matches, which included three wins in a row before drawing 2-2 at Workington on New Year’s Day. Brig showed resolve as they came from 2-0 down to secure a point in Cumbria.

The Lancashire side have been boosted recently as they have managed to retain the services of Lamine Toure, a central defender on loan from Bolton Wanderers. He will stay with the club until the end of the season. As will James Pradic. The goalkeeper will also remain with the club until the end of the season from Preston North End.

Their current playing squad includes Ewan Bange, the clubs top goalscorer Harry Scarborough and perhaps most notably, Mark Cullen. Cullen spent much of his career in the EFL with the likes of Luton, Blackpool and Port Vale, before signing for the Brig last summer from AFC Fylde.


Previous Meetings

The Lions won 2-0 back in September, thanks to Kallan Murphy and Tom Pratt’s goals in Lancashire. Bamber Bridge took all three points on their last visit to Nethermoor back in August 2022. In three of the last four meetings, the bragging rights have gone to the away side.


The Lions’ Form Book

Guiseley have recently lost ground on the play-off places after recent defeats against Gainsborough and Marske United and will be looking to avoid three consecutive home league defeats when Bamber Bridge visit Nethermoor this Saturday. They sit 9th and are three points behind 5th placed Hyde with an inferior goal difference. Their away form in contrast is a lot better, with three away wins on the bounce. The Lions are lacking consistency, and the three points is needed here to stop what is a mini slump at home and a possible further slide down the table.


The Lions’ Team News

Andy Welsh could look to shuffle his pack after a defeat last time out.

He could have Ollie Brown back available after the defender missed the Gainsborough game through illness and Tom Pratt, who scored in this fixture back in August, returns from suspension.

There were no fresh injury concerns following last weekend’s defeat, but Lewis Whitham and Laurence Sorhaindo remain unavailable.


What Are They Saying?

‘We started by letting them have the ball. If the ball was there to be won, we didn’t go and win it and we let them do what they want at times. I am very disappointed with that one today’.

Manager Andy Welsh appeared frustrated post-match following the defeat to Gainsborough Trinity.

‘We watched footage of Gainsborough against Worksop and they’ve done to us exactly what they did to Worksop last week’.

Alluding to the fact that Gainsborough beat promotion chasing Worksop Town 2-0 the previous weekend, Welsh was very disappointed that the Lions were ‘dominated’ in midfield for much of the game.

‘They win you games. They win you leagues, promotion, play-offs. Goals change games’

Welsh yet again appeared frustrated at another penalty miss at Nethermoor, and the Lions missing the opportunity to go 1-0 up in the game. The boss later went on to say that the draw would have been the fair result.

‘Bamber are going really well. They are a good footballing side. Make no bones about it, we have to be a lot better both with and without the ball’.

Attentions now turn to Bamber Bridge at the weekend and Welsh explained that his side must be much better if they are to get anything from Saturday’s visitors.


Tickets For Bamber Bridge

Come and support the lads as Guiseley will be looking to put an end to recent poor results at home.

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

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