Following an excellent victory on Saturday, Guiseley are back in action this weekend, looking for successive victories for the first time since January with a trip to Matlock Town, writes Scott Kelly.

Past Meetings

These sides last met nearly a year ago, with the Derbyshire side winning 2-1 last April, with Reece Kendall bagging the Lions only goal.

That is the Lions’ only defeat against this opposition in the last five encounters, winning all of the previous four including a 4-0 win at Nethermoor in November 2023.

This weekend’s game was due to be played on 23rd November, with the game being postponed due to a frozen pitch.

Last Time Out

Guiseley 1-0 Ashton United

The game started, as expected, in a rather cagey manner, with the no real effort until just before the half hour when the Lions found themselves in front.

Adriano Moke’s corner was floated beautifully into the six-yard box and was bundled home by defender Jake Lawlor to score his first goal since Boxing Day.

With few chances up to half time, the best chance for both sides after the goal was Lebrun Mbeka’s free kick which went well over.

It was the Robins who threatened at the start of the second half, with no clear-cut chances to show for their work. Guiseley chances were few and far between too with the best effort of the half falling to the Robins in the fourth minute of stoppage time.

Former Lion Donald Chimalilo stung the palms of Joe Cracknell with a rasping 25-yard drive which was routine for the Guiseley stopper. The Lions countered shortly after with Jamie Spencer squaring for Ollie Brown who somehow missed an open goal from 12 yards out.

Thankfully that did not affect the result, with Guiseley winning for the first time in five matches in what was a crucial encounter, and as a result they went ahead of Ashton in the table and climb to 3rd heading to Matlock this weekend.

Post-Match With The Gaffer

“It is all about three points this time of year. We had to be a little bit more direct. We had to work set pieces well and ultimately that is what has won us the game”.

We are at the business end of the season, with results more important than performances. Boss Mark Bower was pleased to get over the line with a massive three points.

“At the other end, with had to withstand what they had to throw at us. Not pretty, but we just had to adapt to the conditions which I thought we did the better of the two teams”.

Bower felt the Lions were deserving of the three points having managed the conditions better.

“We knew we had to be a little more direct and Lebrun gives you that presence. He was a focal point. It’s something we will potentially look at again”.

With defender Lebrun Mbeka starting as a centre forward, Bower was chuffed with the impact he made at the top of the pitch and has not ruled out using him there again in future.

“He is a potent weapon that they have when chasing games. He got them a point last week. But the lads were ready for it and dealt with that aspect really well”.

Former Lion Tom Denton played just over 20 minutes against his former side, but Bower again felt the defenders dealt with his presence well, giving particular praise to Jake Lawlor and Jameel Ible.

The Lions’ Team News

Boss Mark Bower confirmed Jordan Thewlis will unfortunately miss the rest of the season as he requires groin surgery. However, Will Longbottom looks ready to come back in this weekend after a cameo at the weekend.

Jack Emmett missed the Ashton game due to an Achilles problem and is hoping to be fit. Joe Ackroyd has joined Warrington Town on loan so will not feature.

Lucas Odunston played his first full 90 minutes for nearly six months, with Bower impressed with his performance so he could start again, although he faces competition from Ollie Brown.

Matlock Town

Manager: Ryan Cresswell
Stadium: Proctor Cars Stadium
Nickname: The Gladiators
23/24 League Position: 15th

The Gladiators enjoyed some great form when Ryan Cresswell joined the club in September. Between late September and the end of the calendar, they only lost twice in the league in 12 matches.

But the honeymoon is well and truly over as 2025 has yielded only one win from the last eleven games, with the Derbyshire club unfortunately slipping back into the relegation trap door after a narrow 1-0 defeat against Macclesfield last Saturday.

The only positive is the number of goals they have managed to score. Bamber Bridge sit just two points ahead in the table and are the only the club in the bottom half of the table to score more than the Gladiators this season. In fact, they have only scored 10 goals fewer than their opposition this weekend.

They have 35 points from 33 games and a point against the Lions this weekend could be enough for them to get out of the relegation zone.

As far as the playing staff goes, Matlock have recently signed midfielder Liam Ravenhill from Buxton and Cameron Wilson on loan from Scarborough Athletic and expect them both to feature this weekend. Midfielders Montel Gibson and Charlie Oglesby are among seven members of the first team squad to pledge their future to the club at least until the end of next season.

Former Lion Reece Kendall scored against Matlock last April. He later moved to the club last September but made the move to Bury FC last month.

Adam Clayton captains the side. The former Leeds and Bradford midfielder is now 36 and joined the club in October.

Tickets and Matchday Information

Tickets can be purchased on the day at the turnstiles with cash or card payment or online now.

Tickets are priced at:

• £12 Adults
• £8 Concessions (65+ & students)
• £4 U18s
• U10s FREE with a full paying adult

You can pick up a matchday programme priced at £2 each.

The Lions will wear their yellow and black away kit for this fixture.

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 10:30am priced at £25 for members and £30 for non-members.