A last gasp goal preserved Guiseley’s unbeaten run and stretched it to seven games. They will be hoping to extend it further, whilst securing a place in the play-offs as they visit Cheshire on Saturday to take on Warrington Rylands, writes Scott Kelly.

Past Meetings

These sides have only met five times previously, with the Lions only winning once. Their only victory was when they last visited Gorsey Lane, with Gabriel Johnson securing a 1-0 victory back in November 2023.

The other encounters have included two Rylands victories and two draws. It was a 2-2 draw when the sides last met last November, with Guiseley coming from two goals down.

Last Time Out

Guiseley 1-1 Matlock Town

A late Jameel Ible goal got the Lions a point closer to their target after an entertaining encounter at Nethermoor.

Montel Gibson looked like he had won the game for the Gladiators, who are fighting for their lives at the other end of the table. Gibson grabbed league goal number 18 of the season after a cross from the left completely missed Lions’ heads as the ball fell to him, he was able to chest down and plant the ball past Joe Cracknell.

It stayed that way until the ninth minute of stoppage time. Following some penalty box pinball, Lebrun Mbeka managed to poke the ball into the path of Ible who fired home for his fifth goal of the season. A small consolation for their opposition was that a point moved them out of the bottom four.

The point not only preserved the Lions unbeaten run, but it also means that victory at Warrington on Saturday combined with an Ilkeston defeat at Hebburn Town would secure a place in the end of season play offs.

Post-Match With The Gaffer

“We lost our way first 15-20 minutes. But we wrestled that initiative, and I felt like we needed to step it up”.

Manager Mark Bower was less than pleased with the start to the game which led to Matlock’s opener but felt they did well to eventually gain control of the game.

“We had to go up a couple of gears second half. I felt we did that. It’s difficult to get any rhythm when it is so bobbly. We just had to keep asking them questions”.

Bower bemoaned the conditions, with it being cold and windy throughout the game. The pitch also wasn’t to Bower’s liking but despite that he was pleased his side eventually found an equaliser.

“I felt we could win, and we had the chance to win it. I have never seen a game with so many players going down needing treatment”.

It seemed Matlock arrived with a game plan. Bower called the game ‘strange’ due to the number of players going down injured. He also felt on another day Lewis Whitham’s late effort goes in, and the Lions take all three points.

The Lions’ Team News

Jack Emmett should be fit after missing the Matlock game with an achilles problem. Jake Lawlor is also likely to return after also sitting out on Saturday. Boss Mark Bower also hopes to have Lucas Odunston back before the end of the campaign as he recovers from an ankle injury.

Will Longbottom also made his first start since January last Saturday after recovering from injury and will be hoping to retain his place.

Joe Ackroyd is back with the squad after a loan spell. He will be pushing to start at Warrington alongside Nathaniel Muenda.

Warrington Rylands

Manager: Neil Reynolds
Stadium: Gorsey Lane
Nickname: The Blues
23/24 League Position: 4th

Warrington Rylands were well set for a campaign in the play offs this time last year but are well off it this time around. Former FC United of Manchester boss Neil Reynolds took over the Blues back in September and following a 2-2 draw with the Lions back in November, they saw a dramatic upturn in form.

They were unbeaten for a further 11 games following November’s clash, winning seven and drawing four. The great form of the sides above them has meant a play-off charge

impossible. Since that run of incredible form up to mid-February, Reynolds’ men have only won two of the eight games since, which included an away win at lowly Blyth.

Last Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Ilkeston has meant the Blues are 9th heading into this weekend.

Ben Hardcastle, who scored against the Lions last November, is the club’s leading goalscorer with 13. Jake Burton has 10. Former Ashton defender Matthew Regan scored in last weekend’s defeat at Ilkeston.

Alex Kiwomya is the son of former Bradford player Andy Kiwomya and nephew of Chris Kiwomya and represents the club after starting his career at Chelsea. Forward Jake Daniels is on loan from Blackpool and midfielder Harrison Hopper lists Mark Bower amongst his former managers following a spell at Bradford Park Avenue.

Tickets

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

Tickets are priced at:

• £10 Adults
• £7 Concessions (60+ and U18s)
• £2 U16s

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

The Lions will wear our 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 11am priced at £25 for members and £30 for non-members.