After a good first month to the year for the Lions started February with a trip to Dover for an FA Trophy 3rd round fixture.
The visitors lined up in black armbands following the sad news that Supporters’ Club secretary Craig Shearstone had passed away overnight with the travelling supporters singing his name throughout the match.
Will Hatfield’s fine strike on the counter attack saw Guiseley go in one goal to the good at half-time but the lead could have been doubled when Gavin Rothery’s shot went just past the post.
Jack Parkinson did find the equaliser for Dover though after 60 minutes, however Gavin Rothery put the Lions back in front after 11 minutes later when he tapped the ball into the empty net after good work by Emile Sinclair.
There was a sense of injustice though as the hosts appeared to pass the ball back to goalkeeper Rafferty who picked the ball up and launched a counter attack which saw Duane Ofori-Acheampong slam the ball home in injury time to force a replay at Nethermoor.
Following the postponement of the replay because of a waterlogged pitch Mark Bower had arranged a mid-season friendly at Shelley FC, Emile Sinclair scored his first goal for the club after arriving on loan from York City and a brace from Nicky Boshell ensured a 3-1 for the Lions.
Guiseley were back on the road the following Saturday as they looked to continue Woking’s miserable run of form but the hosts had not been beaten at home since November.
However that record looked to have ended when Sinclair lead a counter attack and his cross found Liam Dickinson who could not miss from close range.
The game will however be remembered for a stunning display of goalkeeping talent from Steven Drench and Jake Cole who both pulled of a string of impressive saves which saw the visiting ‘keeper preserve a clean sheet.
A return to FA Trophy action followed on a cold Tuesday night at Nethermoor which Dover ran out comfortable 3-0 winners, a double from Stefan Payne and one from Nicky Deverdics saw the visitors continue their road to Wembley whilst the Lions had Will Hatfield sent off and all attention turned to securing safety in the Vanarama National League.
Another trip for Guiseley followed with a short journey over to Altrincham in a game which could have had a big say in who played in the top flight of Non League football next season.
Michael Rankine gave Alty the lead with a fine strike just four minutes before half-time which left Dan Atkinson stranded as the young goalkeeper started in place of an ill Steven Drench.
The game was played on a miserable day in Cheshire with rain pouring down all game and throughout the interval, the ground staff had done a great job to get this game on and the visitors were thankful of that when Adam Smith’s cross was converted by Rob Atkinson.
Rankine had a glorious chance to put his side back in the lead after good work from former Lion Damien Reeves put him through but his shot smacked the crossbar, Nicky Boshell also came close to putting the visitors in the lead but his shot on the turn was well saved by Tim Deasy.
A welcome return to Nethermoor was next up as Forest Green Rovers made the long trip up North in what was the hosts first home league match in just under three months.
On a night remembered for a really good performance by the Lions, which included Emile Sinclair rattling both posts and the cross bar, the title challengers nicked the points with Brett Williams’ strike after 82 minutes.
The final game of the month saw Braintree visit Nethermoor in a match which will always be remembered by the controversial equaliser from the hosts.
Micheal Cheek’s fine finish after 42 minutes saw the playoff challengers go into the break 1-0 up in a half which was dominated by the men from Essex.
However after Braintree had put the ball out of play, as one of their players was down injured, Nicky Boshell took a throw in which Ollie Norburn took possession of, everyone inside the ground was expecting a passback to Tom King but the pass looped over the visiting goalkeepers head and into the net.
After lengthy discussions it was decided that Guiseley were not going to allow Braintree to walk the ball in and the goal would stand.
