The Lions return to Nethermoor on Saturday, after successive away games, with Brackley Town the visitors and we are delighted to confirm the game will be streamed live for free on YouTube.
As fans are still not able to attend we want to make our matches as accessible as we can, we would encourage anyone to “pay what it’s worth” via our Crowdfunder page here to help cover our matchday costs. Don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel to be the first to hear about our latest video uploads.
We are still incurring matchday running costs of around £800 per home game and whilst we’re still awaiting the details of the government’s financial package, we would ideally like to see these covered. Any funds raised in excess of this figure will be put towards purchasing upgraded equipment for our excellent Guiseley Radio team, who voluntarily provide match commentary at all games home and away.
The Lions picked up the most unlikely of points at Boston United on Tuesday night through Nathan Newall’s first senior goal in the 96th minute, Lewis Hey also made his first team debut on the same evening before playing the full 120 minutes and scoring in the Young Lions’ FA Youth Cup win at Bolton Wanderers the day after.
Plenty of character was shown in the dying minutes in Lincolnshire as Prince Ekpolo was stretchered off with an injury and with Marcus Bignot and Russ O’Neill already using all three substitutes The Lions were down to ten.
Brackley Town are still looking for their first win in the Vanarama National League North after starting the league campaign with a loss to AFC Telford and draws with Curzon Ashton and York City.
They come in to the game off the back of a 5-1 win over Marske United in the Emirates FA Cup and name former Lion Harry Flowers in their squad.
Chris Bell spoke to Marcus after the game with the Joint Manager saying “We were nowhere near where we have been, the only positive for us tonight was the scoreline, we remained in the game and tried to do everything we could from a tactical point of view. We made three substitutions with fifteen minutes to go but we needed to go for it.”
“We ended up with four teenagers on the pitch, Lewis Hey making his debut, Kian is 18 years of age leading the line, Brad in between the sticks at 19 years old and the goalscorer Nathan Newall at 19. He strikes a ball lovely but that was a really ugly strike! Its gone in so credit is due there, against all the elements we changed shape, we changed personnel, we have brought kids on and done everything we could, at the end of the day there has to be a massive plaudit as we showed a massive grit and determination to stay in the game.”
“One dressing room is elated with a terrific point away from home against one of the promotion favourites.”
“I am just pleased for the boys, we have been playing well and some really good performances where the results haven’t gone our way. We have always been on the other side of those small margins but we were on the right side tonight.”
Speaking about the youngsters and the academy’s FA Youth Cup run Marcus said “Big credit to Dave Currie and the football club, they do bring some players through. We have been delighted with Nathan and Lewis, we have about half a dozen boys train with us each week.”
“There is two ways you can look at recruitment, we cannot sign today’s best players as financially we cannot afford it or you have got to find tomorrow’s best players. You look at the midfield three tonight Lebrun, Prince and Mark don’t have 42 National League North appearances between them so they are unproven at this level but that is the market we are shopping at.”
The Wharfedale Observer spoke to Russ O’Neill, with the full article here, about the packed week of football and Nathan’s goal “The message we gave Nathan in the summer was to come back with a first team player mentality. It took him a while but his confidence is good. He got the equaliser and the lads are delighted for him, he is a popular figure around the club.”
Looking ahead to the visit of Brackley Russ said “You look at the results even in the Premier League and they are just barmy. It is difficult to gage and predict. Brackley have been up there for years and years, and they have good continuity in their squad. They have only been able to recruit two or three this season. I have no illusions that they will be right up there come the end of the season. It is going to be a tough test for us.”
You can watch Saturday’s game in full on our YouTube channel for free, we would like to keep the streams free for all but need your help so please donate here if you can.
