Following further success in the Emirates FA Cup, Guiseley return to league action this Tuesday as they host Morpeth Town, writes Scott Kelly.

Past Meetings

Last season at Nethermoor, Guiseley won this fixture 4-1. An own goal, Jameel Ible, Reece Kendall and Kofi Moore secured the points for the Lions.  

The sides drew 1-1 in Northumberland last September as Sam Hodgson’s late goal for Morpeth cancelled out Kendall’s opener.  

The 22/23 season was when the sides met for the first time, with the Lions winning both encounters. They have therefore never lost against this opposition in four meetings.  

Last Time Out

Guiseley 3-0 1874 Northwich

With the games coming thick and fast the last thing the Lions wouldn’t have wanted an FA Cup Replay. They avoided such a fate by defeating 1874 Northwich 3-0 at Nethermoor on Saturday.

The Lions enjoyed a host of chances and struggled to break through their opponents. That was until the hour mark. Will Longbottom yet again scored a stunning free kick which was fired into the top corner and past Green’s keeper Mike Shorthouse.

It was two eight minutes later; Gabriel Johnson’s perfectly threaded pass was put on a plate for Jack Emmett who ran onto it and fired past Shorthouse.

Longbottom then added a second and the Lions third eight minutes from time. Lucas Odunston’s low cross was missed by Johnson but fired home by Longbottom.

Coasting to victory, boss Mark Bower introduced academy graduate George Sebine late on and also introduced new signing Sam Bentley.

Guiseley made it consecutive 3-0 home victories in the Emirates FA Cup and were rewarded with a potential home tie with Scunthorpe United in the next round. The Iron must overcome Newcastle Town in a replay on Tuesday night to meet the Lions.

Post Match Reaction From The Gaffer

“We did what we had to do to get through. First half we were sloppy and guilty of playing to their strengths really. We invite our own problems but credit to them” 

Boss Mark Bower bemoaned his sides start to the game but felt the squad’s fitness levels are what saw them through in the end, but he was full of praise for 1874 Northwich’s endeavour throughout.

“All in all, you just have to get through and we got through with very few issues in the end.” 

Bower was full of admiration for his team as a whole and pointed out Adriano Moke and Joe Ackroyd in particular for individual praise.  

“We did not want to lose him but did not want to stand in his way. I understand Reece’s desire to play week in, week out so we were able to secure a fee.” 

The boss confirmed that Reece Kendall expressed a desire to leave after being informed he may not play regularly. He says he wants ‘everybody to be pulling in the same direction’ at the club.

The Lions’ Team News

Reece Kendall left the club over the weekend to join Matlock Town. The full back made half a century of appearances since joining in 2023 and leaves with the club’s very best wishes.  

New signing Liam Ridehalgh is available to face Morpeth after signing for the club on Monday.

Leo Farrell is likely to be fit for the game after sitting out Saturday’s clash with a hamstring issue.

Mark Bower also cited post-match that Jordan Thewlis has a groin issue but feels he is not too far away from full fitness.

Jameel Ible, Lewis Whitham and Jake Wright are definitely missing.

A look at Morpeth Town

Manager: Craig Lynch
Stadium: Craik Park
Nickname: The Highwaymen
23/24 League Position: 13th

Morpeth were also in Emirates FA Cup action over the weekend but unfortunately for them they were not on the right end of the result. They were defeated 3-1 by Spennymoor Town, who operate in the division above in National League North.  

Luke James scored the consolation goal for the Highwaymen, and he is on loan at the club from South Shields. James has played at EFL level for the likes of Hartlepool and Peterborough previously.  

Tuesday’s opponents sit 13th after eight league games with 10 points. Their last home game they held in-form Hebburn to a 0-0 draw. They have however only won one of their four home league games so far and that was a 2-1 victory over Stockton Town.  

Dan Langley is the club’s number one. After being released by Newcastle in 2023, Langley spent a season at Blyth Spartans before joining Morpeth in the summer. The 23-year-old has also had spells at Oldham and Scunthorpe.  

Northumberland-born defender Nathan Buddle joined in the summer after making over 100 appearances for Blyth Spartans. Nic Bollado also plays for the club after the forward spent some time at Carlisle United. He became a Morpeth player following his release from Carlisle at the start of this year. He spent the first half of 23/24 at FC United of Manchester.

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.

Print deadlines and uncertainty around the fixture taking place due to a clash with a potential Emirates FA Cup replay for either side our programme for tonight’s game is online only, read for free here or on Zeeon here.

It is cash payments only inside the ground for 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 Tuesday selling pies, chips, sausage rolls snacks and hot and cold drinks. The hatch in the clubhouse will be closed until the end of September, due to cricket matches taking place at the same time.