The Lions play their first league game of the season this weekend. Ian Richards’ side host Warrington Town who are looking to improve on their 14th place finish last campaign, writes Leo Goy.
Match sponsored by: Allen Engineering
Tickets will be available to purchase from our turnstiles on Sunday priced at:
- Adults: £14
- Concessions (Over 66s/Students/Registered Disabled): £10
- 11-18 Year-Olds: £5
- Accompanied Under-11s: £1
All turnstiles will accept card payment for entry except turnstile 4 which will be cash only, if you are wanting to pay with cash you must use turnstile 4.
‘The Lions’ magazine will be on sale for £3 from sellers near each turnstile and our Club Shop.
Cash payments are accepted for magazines and 50/50 cash draw tickets, although if wanting to pay by card for the magazine you can do so in the Club Shop with selected 50/50 sellers also accepting card.
Food and drink from The Lions’ Diner can be paid for by cash or card and the clubhouse accepts and prefers payment by card.
Team News
The extent of Paul Iggulden’s injury is currently unclear following coming off on Sunday and he was replaced by academy product Wil Temple on the 73rd minute.
The Lions saw Lebrun Mbeka, Harrison Hopper, Jordan Thewlis and Michael Roxburgh all feature in the last pre-season friendly against Barnsley, following them missing our win against Pontefract Collieries.
However, Aaron Martin and Jay Rollins, who featured against Pontefract Collieries, didn’t appear in Ian Richards’ side on Sunday. Additionally, Will Longbottom, Frankie Sinfield and Jack Emmett are yet to play a minute in pre-season.
The Opposition
Warrington Town are hoping to compete for a spot in the National League North this season as they are looking to return to step 2 following their relegation in the 24/25 campaign.
The Yellows come into the game with their last win at Nethermoor being in November 2022. Throughout pre-season, the side only managed to pick up a 4-0 win away at Widnes Town and a 2-2 draw at home against Macclesfield.
They are managed by Paul Carden, who has had two spells at the club. The 47-year-old joined in October 2016 following a spell as Tranmere Rovers interim manager in September 2016, and the manager returned to Warrington Town in September 2024 after being relegated from the Northern Premier League with Nantwich Town in April 2023.
Hoping to help his side have an improved finish next season is youngster Reece Daly. The 21-year-old finished the campaign as the club’s top goal scorer with nine goals from midfield. Additionally, other influential players include midfielders Craig Noone, Jordan Scanlon and Lewis Earl as well as forwards Ewan Bange and Jack Goodwin, who all managed to impress in pre-season.
Previous Meetings
The last time these sides met at Nethermoor was on 21st February, when The Lions comfortably beat The Yellows 4-0 with Lebrun Mbeka, Elliot Owen, Ollie Brown and Jordan Thewlis all featuring on the scoresheet. Following this, a 2-0 defeat and a 0-0 draw have occurred in Warrington, with Liam Brazier and Reece Daly settling the game when both sides met back in October 2025.
Additionally, when the sides met in November 2022 at Nethermoor, the away side picked up a 3-1 victory with Stefan Mols, James Harris and Matthew McDonald all being on the scoresheet for Warrington and Lewis Whitham netting for The Lions.
Listen Live
If you’re unable to be at Nethermoor for the first game of the season, you can find live commentary via the Mixlr app or via guiseleyradio.mixlr.com from 2:50pm on Saturday.
