The Lions are back in action on Tuesday night with Barnoldswick Town coming to Nethermoor for a 7:45pm kick-off in the semi-final of the West Riding County Cup. 

Ticket prices have been reduced to £5 adults, £3 concessions & U18’s and £1 U11’s. Season tickets are not valid for this fixture.

The Lions form has been consistent in the last week with three games played and three draws picked up in that time ending in Saturday’s 3-3 stalemate at FC United of Manchester.

Barnoldswick Town play in the North West Counties Premier Division and currently occupy fifth place in the table and played their first game this month on Saturday which ended in a 3-2 defeat at 1874 Northwich.

Barlick name two former Lions in their squad, with defender Jake McEneaney and forward Zack Dale having both played a big part in their season so far.

Speaking after Saturday’s 3-3 draw Marcus Bignot said “I am really disappointed for the players, at 3-1 we were in total control and it looked like we would add to the scoreline.”

“Out of nothing a penalty is given against us and it shifted all the momentum in their favour, I saw them against Altrincham when they were behind and they do become formidable when they have nothing to lose especially with this passionate support behind them.”

The Lions scored three goals but again were not able to claim the three points and Bignot knows this is an issue heading into the final third of the season “We have scored three goals but again just like Boston we haven’t won, today’s goals against were nowhere on the level of the goals against Boston.”

“We are in the business end of the season, soon we will be down to single figures and everyone will be doing the maths, they have not gained any ground on us after today so nothing has changed.”

“We know we are good enough to extend that six point buffer, there is no better place than to start at home to Alfreton and put three points on the board.”

Speaking about the return of Scott Garner, who has been out injured since September, Marcus was pleased to see the captain back “It was great to have the skipper back today, that is a massive plus for us. We have lost him for the majority of the season so to have him for this run in is massive.”

The signing of Akeel Francis was announced one hour before kick-off on Saturday and Marcus gave us his thoughts on the striker “For us Akeel fits the profile of the player we want in that area, we like players who have a point to prove and he has shown that in his training, attitude, application, character and personality, we are delighted to have him on board and I look forward to him making his bow for Guiseley.”

Looking ahead the Joint Manager added “Every game is a big game, it is an opportunity to get three points, we are a hard team to beat, we’re organised and strong on restarts.”

“It is 15 draws now, if we just had a third of those converted into wins that is 10 more points, it is so near yet so far. We know what it takes to stop being the nearly men and get those wins on the board.”

The prize for the winners is Ossett United in the final who defeated FC Halifax Town for their chance to lift the County Cup.