The Lions grabbed a late draw last time out to ensure their unbeaten run continues, but it will come under serious threat again when in-form Worksop Town visit Nethermoor, writes Scott Kelly.

Past Meetings

Worksop won this fixture back in April. Guiseley started had a fightback which was much too late after the Nottinghamshire side stormed to a 4-0 lead. Late goals from Tom Pratt and Callum Chippendale meant the game finished 4-2.  

The game at Sandy Lane took place on Halloween last year, with Kallan Murphy cancelling out Vaughan Redford’s penalty as the clash finished 1-1.  

Before last season, the sides had not met competitively since 2010, with the Lions winning 3-1. The Lions also boast a 6-0 victory against this opposition which came in 2009.

Last Time Out

Guiseley 3-3 Morpeth Town

It is important that if you cannot win a game then make sure you do not lose it. That’s what the Lions did when Jordan Thewlis scored in stoppage time to ensure the three points did not go up to Northumberland. The result also maintained Guiseley’s unbeaten run which now stretches to eight matches.

Morpeth took the lead against the run of play 20 minutes in when Rhys Evans played the ball across the box for Jack Foalle who buried the ball past Joe Cracknell.

Will Longbottom then bagged a brace to turn the game on its head. The first of which was a simple tap-in after a low cross from Joe Ackroyd. The second of which was a header which was planted past the Morpeth goalkeeper after good work down the right from Leo Farrell and Ackroyd.

The Lions unfortunately could not get to the break in front. A misplaced pass in the middle of the park eventually led to Foalle being played through on goal and beat the attention of Jake Lawlor and fired past Cracknell on the stroke of half time.

Morpeth retook the lead nine minutes after the break. The Highwaymen kept the ball after a corner was cleared and the ball eventually fell to Jordan Hickey and his volley stunned Joe Cracknell and Nethermoor as a whole after he fired into the top corner to make it 2-3.

That is how it stayed heading into stoppage time. A ball was hastily pumped forward with time running out and a Guiseley knock on meant the ball fell eventually to Thewlis who simply couldn’t miss, as he scrambled the ball home from one yard out.

It wasn’t pretty but it was effective for the Lions as they ended up extending their unbeaten run.

Post Match Reaction From The Gaffer

“The goal we gave away just before half time was very disappointing. They then scored that worldy goal to go 3-2 in front and they made it difficult for them after that” 

Mark Bower was disappointed with his side going in level at half time after working so hard to go 2-1 up after an early setback.

“Last eight games. Six wins two draws so we can’t be too despondent. We’ll have games where things don’t go our way. We had a few of those tonight.” 

Bower took positives from the result. It wasn’t a victory, but he understood that the Lions are not always going to have things their own way even at home.

“That late goal keeps out unbeaten run going. And there are lessons to learn. When things are going for you, it is easy but their shape caused us a few problems tonight.” 

Bower reiterated that this is a fairly new squad just recently put together and as such could get complacent. But he felt that the players dealt with Morpeth very well particularly in the second half.

The Lions’ Team News

There are no new injury concerns heading into Saturday’s clash.

Liam Ridehalgh made his debut from the bench on Tuesday and is looking to start this one. As is Jordan Thewlis, who returned from illness and injury to bag the late equaliser last time out.

Jameel Ible, Lewis Whitham and Jake Wright will all miss out.

A look at Worksop Town

Manager: Craig Parry
Stadium: Sandy Lane
Nickname: The Tigers
23/24 League Position: 5th

The Tigers have recovered well from their opening day loss to Macclesfield. They have picked up 22 points from the last 24 available and a 0-0 draw with Bamber Bridge is the only blip on an otherwise perfect record. The run means they have won all of their last four matches away from Nottinghamshire.

Like the Lions, they do have the FA Cup to contend with too and a 6-3 victory over Basford last Saturday has paved the way for a home tie against Kings Lynn in the next round.

Worksop travelled to Derbyshire on Tuesday night and enjoyed a 4-0 success at Mickleover. Dan Bramall began the scoring and later grabbed a second, with Luke Hall and Jacob Gratton the other scorers.

Jordan Burrow, Liam Hughes and Aleks Starchenko are joint top league goalscorers with four. Hall has three to his name so far this season. Terry Hawkridge also plays for the club having spent much of his career playing at a higher level for the likes of Lincoln and Scunthorpe.

Also part of their squad are former Lions’ Regan Hutchinson and former captain Hamza Bencherif. Now 36, defender Bencherif spent three years with the Lions before joining Worksop in 2022.

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 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.