Guiseley return home, after successive 3-1 defeats on the road, this midweek when they host Blyth Spartans, writes Scott Kelly.

Match sponsored by: Blacks Solicitors

Past Meetings

The sides last met in September 2022 when Blyth beat the Lions 2-0 in an Emirates FA Cup Qualifier. They last met before that in the 2021/22 season, with the Spartans winning 1-0 at home and Guiseley winning 3-1 at Nethermoor.

Last Time Out

Macclesfield 3-1 Guiseley

Guiseley came up against title favourites Macclesfield at the Leasing.com Stadium off the back of a 3-1 defeat away to newly promoted Stockton Town on Wednesday night.

Mark Bower made three changes with Ollie Brown and Adriano Moke coming in, with Jack Emmett also making his first league start for the club.

The changes came to fruition early on as good work from Prince Ekpolo allowed Jordan Thewlis to nip in and round Macc goalkeeper Max Dearnley for a 25th minute lead.

Goals immediately before and after half-time turned the tide of the game though, as Luke Duffy’s skillful finish was added to by Danny Elliott’s scrambled finish after Danny Whitehead’s effort struck a post. Tom Clare completed the scoring for a side with nine points from a possible nine available in the league.

Post Match Reaction From The Gaffer

Mark Bower gave his thoughts immediately after Saturday’s defeat to Macclesfield:

“I thought we played well. We more than matched them for large spells. I can’t think of our goalkeeper having much to do. We have been punished ruthlessly for the mistakes we have made”.

The gaffer feels the side deserve more than three points from the opening three games but appears excited at the forward options:

“We have to take positives from the performance. Gabs (Gabriel Johnson) is looking sharper again. We have Leo Farrell in on loan who gives us more options up there. And Jordan (Thewlis) who likes to get in behind with those runs he makes off the shoulder”.

Bower appeared convinced that the form will come and that his side will ‘learn our lessons and lick our wounds’:

“You saw some good passages of play from us today. Those little bits of detail that we have not quite got right. To be fair, there are little things you could get away with at this level, but we have had absolutely nothing this week. But that sort of stuff will even itself out over the course of the season”

The Lions’ Team News

Leo Farrell joined on loan from Barnsley on Saturday and was on the bench for Saturday’s defeat to Macclesfield. The forward played just over 10 minutes and will be pushing for a start here.

Jake Lawlor went off early in the second half against the Silkmen and is boss Mark Bower’s only injury concern, with the exception of Lewis Whitham and Jake Wright who remain out.

A look at Blyth Spartans

Manager: Nolberto Solano
Stadium: Croft Park
Nickname: The Spartans
23/24 League Position: 21st (relegated from the Vanarama National League North)

The Spartans have Premier League legend Nolberto Solano at the helm, having joined the club in the summer.

The Peruvian hasn’t had things all his own way though, as a 1-1 draw at home to Lancaster City on Saturday leaves the Northeast club without a win from their opening three matches of the season. They fell 1-0 away to Hebburn Town last midweek and drew 2-2 against Ashton United on the opening day of the season.

Mitchell Curry arrived last week following a spell at Darlington, and Joel Holvey also arrived after the defenders’ contract at Rotherham United expired. Curry appears to be available for selection however did not feature during Saturday’s game. Holvey however played the full 90 minutes.

The Spartans squad features former Leeds midfielder Michael Woods, who had a four-year spell at Chelsea. Fans of Northeast clubs will be well aware of Connor Pani, Ryan Donaldson and Harrison Bond. Midfielder Pani and goalkeeper Bond are both on loan from Gateshead and Spartans talisman Donaldson started his career at Newcastle and spent four years at Hartlepool United.

Matchday Information

Tickets will be available to purchase from our turnstiles on Tuesday night 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.