A first win for Ian Richards and first league win for the Lions since September last time out, they will be hoping to build on that victory when Ashton United visit Nethermoor this Saturday, writes Scott Kelly.

Match sponsored by: ICM Debt Recovery

Vote for the Gaffer for Manager of the Month

After two wins and two draws from his opening four matches in November, boss Ian Richards has been nominated for November’s Northern Premier League Manager of the Month award.

Also nominated are:

GAVIN HURREN (HEDNESFORD TOWN)

CRAIG LYNCH (MORPETH TOWN)

DANIEL MOORE (HEBBURN TOWN)

But be quick, voting closes at 9am on Friday 5th December.

Vote here.

Post-Match from the Gaffer

“First thing I said was “keep your heads up” because you have been the better team, but you haven’t defended your box well enough”

Boss Ian Richards when asked what he said at half-time to the players after the 4-2 victory over Ashton United last time out. The Lions went in at the break 2-0 behind.

“We scored the next goal straight away (just after half time) and that composed us, and you felt that only one team was going to win in the end”

Richards felt Leo Farrell’s introduction at half time and the next goal was crucial.

Team News

Defender Jake Lawlor will be out until at least mid-December with a hamstring injury, according to the boss.

A fortnight away from action would have been good for Liam Ridehalgh, with the full-back edging closer to full fitness.

A goal from the bench for Leo Farrell will likely have boosted his chances for a start. John Lufudu returned from suspension last time out, with he and Joao Silva also pushing for starts.

The Opposition

Leek, known as the Blues, are sitting in 11th with 24 points coming into this weekend’s clash. A superb 2-1 victory at Stockton Town in midweek means they are now unbeaten in their last five matches, but the Lions can overtake their opponents with victory.

That run has also included a scalp in the FA Trophy, with a 1-0 victory over Scarborough Athletic meaning next weekend the Blues will travel North to face Southport.

Midfielders Connor Heath and Alex Hurst, who has scored in two of his last three games against Guiseley, are both the clubs top league scorers with five.

Liam Edwards is also a prominent scorer from defence with three goals so far. Edwards is a trainee of Stoke City and Bolton Wanderers.

Carl Dickinson made a start for the club in their victory at Stockton. 38-year-old Dickinson made over 50 appearances for Stoke City and played a starring role in their Premier League promotion campaign in 2007-08. He also turned out for Portsmouth and Port Vale.

Their squad also includes goalkeeper Dino Visser, who has also played for Vale. Midfielder Callum Leigh and forward Tunde Owolabi recently joined the club from Warrington Rylands.

Previous Meetings

Guiseley have not won any of their last four meetings with Leek. Their last victory came all the way back in 2007.

They will not want the reminder but earlier in the campaign they travelled to Staffordshire and were thrashed 4-0. The last meeting at Nethermoor was a 1-1 draw back in December last year.

In between those clashes, a 2-2 draw was played out between the sides, with Jack Emmett and a late Gabriel Johnson strike coming either side of Leek goals.

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. Food and drink from The Lions’ Diner can be paid for by cash or card and the clubhouse accepts and prefers payment by card.