Only a stunning free kick late on denied Ian Richards’ three points on his Lions managerial debut. He will be hoping to end a run of three successive home defeats, with newly promoted Cleethorpes Town the Lions’ visitors this weekend, writes Scott Kelly.

Match sponsored by: The Clive Mendoncas

“We deserved all three (points) today. Not just from the performance but from how they have done in training. I feel for the players, but it is a foundation to build from”

Richards previews the visit of Cleethorpes:

“They are a strong, physical and direct team. It will be a really good football match. I am confident if we play like we did at Whitby, we can get all three (points)”

Team News

Richards confirmed post-match that Jack Emmett had been struggling with illness and only played 70 minutes as a result. He is likely to be fully fit for Cleethorpes’ visit.

Special praise from the new boss for Harrison Hopper, so expect him to keep his place in the heart of the midfield. Praise too for Jordan Thewlis who grabbed his 8th league goal of the season.

Sam Aston, who put in a fine performance for Sheffield United’s Under 21 side during the week, and Joao Silva will be hoping they have done enough to start after cameos from the bench on Saturday.

The Opposition

Founded in 1998, this is the highest level the club have ever played at, having won the NPL Division One East last season.

They have enjoyed a fruitful start to their first season at this level, and currently find themselves in 8th and just a point outside the top five. Back-to-back defeats against Rushall Olympic and Warrington Rylands has been followed by a thumping 4-0 away success at Ashton United and a 2-2 draw with Lancaster last Saturday. Only Hebburn Town and the table topping Rylands can beat the Owls goals return of 26 so far this campaign. Their home form is cause for concern though, with even the 18th placed Lions having a better points return on home soil.

Former Pontefract Collieries boss Craig Rouse joined the Owls in 2024 and was handed a new contract until the end of the 26/27 season shortly before they won their division last season by a huge 12-point margin.

Full back Harvey Sutcliffe has this week had his loan at the club from FC Halifax Town extended by another month after recent good performances. Another recent recruit is Max Brogan, with the midfielder joining an initial one-month loan from neighbours Scunthorpe United.

Former Lions stopper Ollie Battersby and Harry Christy are the clubs’ shot stoppers. Battersby played in 38 of the club’s 42 league matches last season following his Lions departure, while Christy is a former Leeds trainee who has recently joined the club from Stockton Town. Another former Lion who represents the club is Kwame Boaten, who had two spells with Guiseley.

Dan Gallimore has played for the club since 2023 after his departure from Scunny. Captain Brad Abbott played at this level before for Ashton United and Matlock Town and midfielder Billy Whitehouse has featured for Alfreton Town and Chorley in recent years.

In the front end of the pitch, Joshua Walker is the club’s top league scorer with seven goals. Ben Andreucci has three. Former Lions striker Adam Haw struck four times in the league for the Owls, but he has recently left the club to join Bradford (Park Avenue).

Previous Meetings

The only previous meetings between the sides came during the 2018/19 season. The sides met in an Emirates FA Cup qualifier, with Cleethorpes taking the Lions to a replay following a 2-2 draw on home turf.

The Lions won the replay 2-1 courtesy of goals that day from Kayode Odejayi and Will Hatfield. Guiseley ended up reaching the FA Cup 2nd Round proper that season, eventually falling to Fleetwood Town.

Listen Live

As always our commentary team will be at Nethermoor. Live audio commentary can be found via the Mixlr app or on guiseleyradio.mixlr.com at approximately 2:50pm on Saturday.

Tickets

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 & 5. ‘The Lions’ magazine will be on sale for £3 from sellers near each turnstile and our Club Shop.

It is cash payments only inside the ground for magazines 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.

Photo by Brian Murfield