Guiseley will be hoping to have a very happy new year when they make the short trip to the Horsfall Community Stadium to take on Bradford Park Avenue, writes Scott Kelly.

Previous Meetings

The Lions haven’t lost to these opponents in the last six encounters, with BPA trouncing Guiseley 5-1 at Nethermoor Park in December 2018. Jake Beesley, now of Blackpool, scored a hat-trick that day. They played earlier this season and played out a 2-2 draw at Nethermoor Park in August. Gabriel Johnson and Kallan Murphy scored on during the game which also resulted in both sides finishing with nine men.

The Lions’ Form Book

Guiseley were on the wrong side of a 3-2 result against Marske United on Boxing Day and will be looking to bounce back here. It was the Lions’ first home defeat since September but despite this, are looking to make it three wins on the bounce away from Nethermoor Park.

A Look At Bradford (Park Avenue)

Founded: 1907
Manager: Danny Whitaker
Stadium: Horsfall Community Stadium
Address: Cemetery Road, Low Moor, Bradford, BD6 2NG
Capacity: 3,500 (1,800 seated)

BPA came down from National League North and have struggled to adapt to life in the Northern Premier League. Former Macclesfield boss Danny Whitaker is now leading the Greens after the departure of former Lions boss Mark Bower. Whitaker joined after the club had only won once since August which meant the BPA hierarchy had to act and end Bower’s seven-year association with the club.

The squad includes former Barnsley trainee Will Longbottom, who has seven goals and is the club’s top goalscorer. Full-back Mason O’Malley signed from Scunthorpe in the summer. Also on the clubs’ books are Connor Shanks, who is on loan from Spennymoor Town, Myles La Bastide and Will Lancaster, who is a Barnsley loanee.

A Look At The Lions

The Lions go in to 2024 with no fresh injury concerns but will be sweating on the fitness of Jordi Nsaka who missed the Boxing Day bout with Marske through injury.

Tom Pratt will be available despite his dismissal against Hyde with the midfielder’s suspension not kicking in until Tuesday 2nd January.

Sincere Hall could be in line for his Lions debut with the winger missing out against Marske United.

Andy Welsh could also opt to call on the services of his Young Lions who have come through the academy with K’Marni Miller, Jack Mason, Kyle Burrows and Miguel Valsau all having signed first team forms.

Courtney Meppen-Walters will not be involved after joining Nantwich Town on a short term loan deal.

What Are They Saying?

‘It was a really disappointing performance’

Boss Andy Welsh sums up his sides Boxing Day defeat to Marske United.

‘They are a team fighting and scrapping for every point. They are about to lose their club potentially’.

Welsh also alluded to Marske’s off the pitch problems and feels his sides performance was ‘very out of character’.

‘K’marni is a good young lad. Needs to learn the game. We are short of bodies in the wide areas. I had to put Gabriel (Johnson) out there too. We just didn’t do enough in front of their full backs to make our system work with them in it’.

Welsh admitted the Lions didn’t have the best of games and didn’t utilise their wingers enough, with young K’Marni Miller getting a 25-minute cameo.

Tickets for Bradford (Park Avenue)

Kick off the New Year in style by coming to support the Lions in Bradford.

Ticket can be purchased on the day at the turnstiles with cash or card payment at the Cemetary Road turnstiles, cash payment only at Park Road turnstiles.

Tickets are priced at:

• £13 Adults
• £10 Concessions (65+ and students)
• £5 students with valid ID
• U17s £3
• U12s FREE

You can pick up a matchday programme priced at £3 each from the sellers near the turnstiles or in the club shop.