With a play-off spot in the bag, Guiseley will be hoping to round off the regular season with victory at FC United of Manchester, and secure a 3rd place finish, writes Scott Kelly.

Past Meetings

The sides have met on five occasions at Gigg Lane and Broadhurst Park, the first of which being in 2008. Guiseley have only won one of those meetings, a 2-1 victory back in 2009.

They did win 3-2 at Nethermoor back in August, with Leo Farrell bagging a brace and Gabriel Johnson getting on the scoresheet. They also won the previous Nethermoor meeting back in April last year.

Their last meeting in Manchester was a 3-2 defeat back in October 2023. A late penalty compounded the Lions to defeat after Joe Stacey and Prince Ekpolo had scored.

Last Time Out

Guiseley 0-2 Gainsborough Trinity

Two first half goals from Gainsborough Trinity were enough to condemn Guiseley to defeat on a wet Bank Holiday Monday at Nethermoor

Trinity’s Declan Howe converted a penalty after just seventeen minutes, having been brought down in the box by Sam Bentley.

The misery was compounded just six minutes later when Lewis Butroid doubled the visitors’ advantage after another well worked move following a spell of Trinity pressure.

Ultimately it wasn’t to be for Guiseley against a hardworking Gainsborough side.

Words by Joe Priestley.

Post-Match With The Gaffer

“We got minutes from players that certainly needed it. We were playing a good side who probably played the conditions better than us. It would have been nice to have gotten third place wrapped up”.

Boss Mark Bower struggles to come up with positives from the game, with the likes of Lucas Odunston starting for the first time in a while and goalkeeper Jack Dallimore getting his first minutes for the club.

“It felt that was the right thing to do. There are other things that come into your mind at this stage of the season”.

Fans must’ve been puzzled when a goalkeeper was subbed on with just under half an hour to play, but Bower stated that the appearance of Jack Dallimore was just to give him time on the pitch with the play offs also in mind.

“Their set piece delivery summed up the performance really. We weren’t great. We just have to patch everyone up and look to attack this last game the best way we possibly can”.

FC United next up and the last game of the regular season for the squad, but Bower hopes they treat it like any other game and go into the play offs in the best possible shape.

The Lions’ Team News

Lucas Odunston played his first full 90 minutes since early March on Monday, with praised heaped on him by the boss. He will hope to keep his place.

Bower said post-match that getting minutes in players is so important, so don’t be surprised to see the likes of Sam Bentley and Joe Ackroyd get starts again.

Lebrun Mbeka and Prince Ekpolo will however be hoping to return after sub appearances against Gainsborough.

FC United of Manchester

Manager: Mark Beesley
Stadium: Broadhurst Park
Nickname: The Reds
23/24 League Position: 14th

FC United have failed to improve on their 14th placed finish last season, currently 16th going into the last round of matches. If results go their way however and victory on Saturday will put them as high as 12th.

They were beaten 3-0 by Prescot on Easter Monday and haven’t managed maximum points in five matches. Their best run of the season came between mid-January-mid February, when they went six matches unbeaten.

Manager Mark Beesley left Warrington Town back in September to take the reins at Broadhurst Park, dropping down from National League North to do so. Warrington are a club he will come up against next season following their relegation.

Veteran Adam Le Fondre leads the line for the Reds and has 16 goals to his name this season. Jay Fitzmartin has six goals to his name and started his career at Bolton Wanderers.

Gerard Sithole and defender Matt Grivosti are just two of several players to follow Beesley from Warrington Town to the club.

Forward Sithole will be out after recently undergoing ankle surgery.

Tickets

Tickets can be purchased on entry at the turnstiles by cash or card. You can also purchase online in advance here and skip the queues at the turnstiles with two entries reserved for tickets purchased online. The turnstiles will be open from 1pm.

Travelling Lions fans will pay:

• £13 Adults
• £9 concessions (65+, in receipt of income support or universal credit, students with a valid NUS card)
• £5 U21s
• £3 U18s
• U5s FREE with a full paying adult

If you like to pick up a matchday programme there will be several sellers located around Broadhurst Park with the full colour edition priced at £3 a copy. You can also pre-order your matchday programme online here.

Travel

Coach travel is available with Guiseley AFC Supporters’ Club, just call Paul on 07518 445861 to secure a seat.

The coach leaves Nethermoor at 11:15am priced at £25 for members and £30 for non-members.