Guiseley are back at Nethermoor this weekend following a great win to end the bank holiday weekend. The Emirates FA Cup comes into focus as the Lions host Ashton United in the First Round Qualifying, writes Scott Kelly.

Past Meetings

Ashton United’s Alex Byrne was a thorn in the Lions side last season as his goal secured a 1-0 victory at Nethermoor last September. He also pegged the Lions back in the return fixture in Manchester in February. Byrne cancelled out Prince Ekpolo’s early goal as that game finished 1-1.

Ashton have won three of the last four games between the sides, with The Lions last winning 2-1 in the Isuzu FA Trophy in 2021. Jordan Thewlis was on target that day and should lead the line again this time around.

Last Time Out

Bamber Bridge 2-3 Guiseley

It ended up being a worthwhile visit to Lancashire for the Lions on Bank Holiday Monday as Will Longbottom’s exquisite free kick late on ensured a dramatic victory after being 2-0 down.

Leo Farrell’s cool finish on 20 minutes started the comeback after the Brig went 2-0 up courtesy of Billy Bould’s and Simon Grand’s goals.

Jameel Ible made it 2-2 10 minutes into the second half with a neat finish after good build up play from Ollie Brown. The game ebbed and flowed in the latter stages, and the game looked like it was there for the taking for either side until Guiseley won a free kick in stoppage time.

Longbottom has shown his quality from set pieces before and fired low past Brig goalkeeper Nick Michalski to send Lions fans into delirium.

It meant successive 3-2 victories for the Lions who climb to 7th in the table heading into this weekend’s FA Cup encounters.

Post Match Reaction From The Gaffer

“We were the better team and had far and away the most chances. It was about desire and the will to win, and the lads did their jobs well enough to get the three points.” 

Boss Mark Bower also praised the sides character and appear to assume that the victory was well deserved.    

“We are due some luck in the FA Cup. I have had bad luck in it for a long time and I hope this season it will all come together.” 

Bower feels the club and himself personally are due a good run in the cup and feels Ashton is the perfect test for his side.  

“We started the game well, but we are a bit leggy. They did catch us out a few times and they are a good side. We turned it around, got the goals that we needed and that summed it up” 

Full back Lucas Odunston felt although the side were feeling it physically, the victory was full deserved and he was full of praise for Will Longbottom’s free kick which won the Lions the game.  

The Lions’ Team News

Jake Lawlor is Bower’s only new injury worry heading into Saturday’s clash. Lawlor sat out Monday’s victory at Bamber Bridge and it remains to be seen if he will be available for Saturday.

Reece Kendall returned for the victory in Lancashire and is in line to play here. As are Jack Emmett, Joe Ackroyd and Gabriel Johnson who all received minutes on Monday.

Lewis Whitham and Jake Wright remain out.

A look at Ashton United

Manager: Steve Cunnigham
Stadium: Hurst Cross
Nickname: The Robins
23/24 League Position: 7th

Like Guiseley, Ashton have also won back-to-back games in the league. A home victory over Workington and a 2-1 away success against FC United on Monday has cemented Ashton’s place at the top of the table, with only Hyde above them on goal difference.

They are unbeaten so far this season, with four victories and two draws from their six league games so far. Jason Gilchrist is the clubs top goalscorer so far this season with five already, with four of those coming in one game, the 4-3 success against Warrington Rylands on 13th August and a game in which the Robins found themselves 3-0 down.

Other players include former Lion Tom Denton, who opened his account for the club last Saturday against Workington. Darius Osei has spent much of his career at this level and has played for Marine and South Shields.

Defender and former Lion Dan Cowan, winger Alex Byrne and goalkeeper Connor O’Keefe also play for the club.

Matchday Information

Tickets will be available to purchase from our turnstiles on Saturday priced at:

• Adults: £13
• Concessions (Over 66s/Students/Registered Disabled): £9
• 11-18 Year-Olds: £5
• Accompanied Under-11s: £1

Payment can be made via cash at all our turnstiles and card at turnstiles 1 & 2.

‘The Lions’ matchday programme will be on sale for £3 from sellers near each turnstile and our Club Shop, take a look at what is inside here.

It is cash payments only inside the ground for programmes and 50/50 cash draw tickets. Food and drink from The Lions’ Diner can be paid for by cash or card and the clubhouse accepts and prefers payment by card.

The Lions’ Diner will be open on Saturday selling pies, chips, sausage rolls snacks and hot and cold drinks. The hatch in the clubhouse will be closed until the end of September, for Saturday home games only, due to cricket matches taking place at the same time.