Nethermoor Park will play host to the Lions’ opening match of the campaign this weekend as Steve Kittricks’s side take on Hinckley United.
The pre-season fixtures are over and the preparation for the new season is complete as this weekend marks the beginning of what promises to be an exciting campaign in the Blue Square North division.
Hinckley United used the summer break, as did Guiseley, to strengthen their squad in order to fight for the play-offs in the new season. The Knitters have now acquired a strengthened strike force with the recent introduction of Stuart Hendrie, former Morecambe striker and brother of former Aston Villa player Lee Hendrie.
The Knitters’ season last year wasn’t the most successful finishing the league in fifteenth position, ten places and twenty seven points behind Guiseley. Dean Thomas’ side won thirteen, drew seven and lost twenty of their forty overall competitive matches.
The Lions completed the double over Hinckley last season, gaining victories both away and at home, beating them 2-1 in Leicestershire and 3-2 at Nethermoor, results that Steve Kittrick will be aiming to recreate this season.
Guiseley captain Simon Ainge and the rest of the squad alike will be looking to use this match to kick start their campaign and position themselves firmly in the running by claiming three points, points that may prove vital towards end of the competitive season.
Their opposition will not bow down easily though, as they too will be eager to make the best possible start to their season. Thus providing Nethermoor Park and Guiseley fans with what should be an exhilarating curtain-raiser.
Kittrick said: “We would have won automatic promotion last season had we not had that dodgy spell in February and March where we took only two points out of a possible eighteen. Therefore the minimum aim this season, as it was last season, is getting to the play-offs.”
Guiseley face Hinckley United tomorrow at Nethermoor with a 3pm kick off.
The match will be sponsored by the Guiseley AFC Supporters’ Club.
