Guiseley will be looking to take advantage of a two-week break when they host fellow promotion chasers Macclesfield at Nethermoor, writes Scott Kelly.

Match sponsored by: Chris Wright Baildon Ltd

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.

Previous Meetings

The Lions were trounced 5-1 by Saturday’s opponents in November, after Kallan Murphy gave the side an early lead.

They had only met once more previously though in their current guise, with the Lions winning 2-0 at the Leasing.com stadium in the FA Trophy in October 2022 thanks to goals from Joe Ackroyd and Jake Cassidy.

The Lions’ Form Book

The Lions have encountered quite sporadic form in their last five games (WLWLW). With last Saturday’s intended game at Atherton Collieries being postponed, the sides last game was the 2-0 victory against Bamber Bridge on January 13th. The Lions hadn’t won on home turf since November and were itching to get back to winning ways.

They did so thanks to Reece Kendall and Aiden Walker’s goals and they will be hoping the unintended two-week break will do some good here.

They have picked up just four points more at home than they have on the road and with a crucial part of the season approaching, they will be looking to make Nethermoor a fortress, beginning with the visit of the Cheshire side this Saturday.

Our Opponents – Macclesfield

Founded: 2020 (club is a successor from the defunct Macclesfield Town)
Manager: Alex Bruce
Stadium: Leasing.com Stadium
Capacity: 5,300 (2,095 seated)

The Silkmen sit just a point behind the Lions in the table having played a game more. Unlike Guiseley, they played on Saturday and were on the wrong end of a 3-2 score line at table toppers Radcliffe. This came after a stunning victory in the FA Trophy, a 5-0 success on home turf against National League side Dorking Wanderers.

The Lions will have to be weary of a side who are decent on the road. Alex Bruce’s side have not lost away in seven matches, with the Silkmen winning six and drawing one of those games.

In only three of their 25 league games this season have Macclesfield failed to score. They lost 3-0 at Lancaster City in August before 0-0 draws against Hyde United and Workington in December.

Their top goalscorer is Alex Curran who has 13 goals this campaign. He added his 13th in the defeat to Radcliffe last weekend. Much of the playing squad comprises of much EFL experience. John Rooney, Luke Murphy and Jon Nolan all probably seem like familiar names. All have played in the EFL and all play for the club.

The Lions’ Team News

Gabriel Johnson was withdrawn, through injury, at half-time in the 2-0 win over Bamber Bridge a fortnight ago.

New signing Michael Afuye will be pushing for successive starts alongside Kallan Murphy, Leigh Whelan and Jordi Nsaka who all returned to the first 11 against Bamber Bridge.

Lewis Whitham and Laurence Sorhaindo remain out through injury. Tom Pratt also will not be involved as he recently completed a loan move to Marine.

What Are They Saying?

With Atherton Collieries postponed, Boss Andy Welsh spoke on the NPL show podcast last week.

‘Radcliffe are running away with it. We are pleased to be there and in the mix since we took over. The players are enjoying it, but we are looking for consistency. With games being called off it does become difficult.’

Welsh bemoaned the postponement last weekend and believes his side are crying out for regular game time in order to cement their place amongst the play-off places.

‘We couldn’t train because our pitches were frozen. We ended up at a local boxing gym for a bit of team bonding. We went up to Whitby last Tuesday and that was a nightmare. It’s tough to manage. You would rather be getting points on board rather than waiting to get points on board.’

Welsh further expressed his frustration, alluding to still having Whitby to play after having the game called off twice.

‘Reece Kendall has scored four or five since we’ve come in. Prince Ekpolo who has scored four or five too. Aiden Walker dropping in with goals. When you are trying to push up the table you need goals come from everywhere.’

Welsh again was crying out for consistency, but praised the fact that goals recently appear to be coming from all over the pitch.

Tickets For Macclesfield

Come and help make Nethermoor a fortress again as we welcome Macclesfield this Saturday.

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