The Lions play their final home league game of the season this weekend. They host an FC United of Manchester side who are hoping to leave this league behind, Scott Kelly.

Match sponsored by: SB Plumbing and Heating

Match Ball sponsor: Pro-Fit Northern

Matchday Experience: It’s Your Move

Following Easter Monday’s late defeat at Gainsborough Trinity, Ian Richards spoke post-match:

“It is a very harsh scoreline. To a man their work rate has been exceptional. I am so gutted for the players that they didn’t get at least a point”

“We didn’t get the second goal when it mattered. That’s been our Achilles heel. It is something we have to work on going into these last few games and into next season”

Richards also previewed this weekend’s game:

“They need to win if they want to win the title. We have to focus on us. I can’t fault the players’ character. They are a good footballing side. It will be a really good game”

Team News

It is unclear the extent of Lebrun Mbeka’s injury after he came off late on against Gainsborough. Elliot Owen and Calum Hudson are more than capable of stepping in deputise, with Jake Lawlor likely to take the armband.

Derren Boyle had a 12-minute cameo on Monday and will be hoping to get more minutes in the tank. Amir Berchil and Jack Emmett were introduced just after the hour and will be hoping their impact is enough to see them start.

Will Longbottom and Jamie Spencer are unlikely to play again this season after recently undergoing operations.

The Opposition

Exactly 10 years on, FC United are hoping to do exactly what they did in 2015/16 and win the Northern Premier League title. The play-offs will be something their supporters will hope to avoid after losing three consecutive play-off finals before their success in 15/16. One of those finals was against fellow promotion chasers this time around, Hednesford Town.

They have a game in hand on those around and currently sit third, two points behind Hebburn Town and The Pitmen. The Northern Premier League have come under scrutiny in the last few days as FC United’s clash with Stockton Town, which has been postponed on at least four different occasions, was moved to 21st April but to be played Curzon Ashton’s Tameside Stadium, much to the upset of FC United supporters.

Despite never winning at Nethermoor, the Reds come into this game a side possessed. They have only lost one of their last nine league matches on the road, and Easter Monday’s late defeat to Hednesford is their only defeat in 10. Only Hebburn Town have scored more than them in the league this campaign, and the Pitmen are the only side to concede fewer than them.

They are managed by Mark Beesley, who has tasted promotion from this league before with Warrington Town. Beesley left the Yellows to join FC United in September 2024 and led them to a 17th place finish last season.

Hoping to fire the Reds to promotion is veteran Adam Le Fondre. The 39-year-old is the club’s top goalscorer with 13 league goals. Andre Wisdom is another play football fans will recognise. Now 32, ex-Liverpool full back Wisdom is back with Beesley after playing for him at Warrington Town. Other influential players include goalkeeper Darryl Ombang, midfielders Matty Grivosti and Charlie Ennis and winger Jay Fitzmartin.

Previous Meetings

The sides haven’t met at Nethermoor since August 2024, when Leo Farrell’s late winner gave the Lions a 3-2 victory. A 1-1 draw and a 2-0 defeat in Manchester have followed, with Adam Le Fondre and Rudy Misambo settling the game when the sides met back in August.

FC United have actually never won at Nethermoor in their seven previous attempts, with six wins for the Lions and one draw dating back to 2008.

Listen Live

If you cannot make it to Nethermoor, live audio commentary can be found via the Mixlr app or via guiseleyradio.mixlr.com from 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. ‘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.

Segregation will be in place with FC United of Manchester fans entering the ground through turnstiles 5-8.

FC United fans will be housed at the Railway End and will have access to both the JM Glendinning seated stand and the Lions’ Diner.

Lions fans will have access to Guiseley Grill, the new catering outlet near turnstiles 3 & 4, both fans will be able to order pizzas from the Railway End.

Stay behind after the final whistle

Following the game on Saturday the 2025/26 Craig Shearstone Guiseley AFC Supporters’ Club Player of the Season will be revealed on the pitch.

The presentation will be made shortly after the final whistle.