Following Tuesday evening’s FA Cup exit – The Blues now turn their attention back to the Pitching InNorthern Premier League and the challenge of Guiseley.

Guiseley currently sit in the pack of teams, including the Blues, all on 7 points from their opening 6 fixtures. Both teams will be looking to take maximum points from the fixture knowing that it will create a little separation between the teams below.

At this early stage of the season there will be many iterations of how the league will potentially look by the time we enter the Christmas period, but the one thing that does not change is that all of the team in that middle pack will be looking to boost their league standing with valuable points on the board.

Guiseley will be confident heading into the game following their 1-4 away win in the FA Cup at the weekend against NPL league rivals Warrington Rylands. Will Longbottom came from the bench to score a brace to help them put their name into the hat for the next round.

The True Blue Army will assemble at?
A Home game for the blues - the clubhouse and Blues Bites are open, football will be on the telly before the game, and merchandise will be on sale. We will also be showing the England international game at 5pm

How much to get in?

Adult - £13
Concession - £9
21 to 18 - £9
Under 18 - £5
Under 8s – FREE

You can purchase your ONLINE FANBASE TICKET HERE

The Opposition?

Guiseley AFC – The Lions
Formed – 1909
Ground – Nethermore Park
Gaffer – Mark Bower

Their Website?
Guiseley AFC

How are they doing?
Currently 12th in the table, joint on 7 points with teams down to 16th, including Leek Town. Their points have come from wins against Bamber Bridge, Hebburn and Hyde. With a draw against Stocksbridge Park Steels. They have scored 7 goals over their opening fixtures which again, is the same as the Blues, they have however conceded less. Their biggest result of the season this far coming courtesy of a Jordan Thewlis Hat-trick which lead them to a 4-0 home win over Hebburn.

Their Main Man?
Will Longbottom will again be the focal point of the Lions attacking force this season. His 21 goals last term saw him finish 4th in the goalscoring for the NPL and propelled Guiseley into the play-offs. Although the lost to Stockton in the semi-final, they were granted a place in the final owing to Stockton fielding an ineligible player. Longbottom did score in the play-off final but it was not enough for them to be promoted. He already has 2 goals to his name this season.

Their Gaffer?
Mark Bower rejoined the club as the first team manager on 27th April 2024. Bower lead the Lions to their highest level and secured survival in non league's top tier in his previous spell. The former Bradford City defender signed a two year deal to commit himself to the club until the end of the 2025/26 campaign. Mark's first took charge of the Lions in the 2013/14 season, his debut campaign as the leader nearly ended in promotion but he didn't have to wait long for his first taste of glory. The following the season he lead his side to the Conference North play offs and went on to win the final 3-2 at Chorley's Victory Park despite being 2-0 down at the break - it was arguably the greatest day in the club's recent history. In his two seasons at step 6 he delivered a 55% win rate. Away from Nethermoor Bower managed Bradford (Park Avenue) and took them to play off finishes in successive seasons despite tight financial constraints.

Guiseley AFC – Have we met before?
The Blues have faced the Lions on 26 occasions dating back to 1994. It is fair to say that Guiseley have faired better in those previous encounters having won 12 and drew 10, the Blues have only managed 4 wins over 24 fixtures.

The biggest scoring game between the two teams came in the FA Cup in 1995. 507 fans saw a 4-0 Guiseley win in that fixture. There have been 72 goals in all fixtures between the two teams over the years. 42 of those have come for the Lions whilst Leek have scored 24. Purely based on head to head fixtures there is an XG of 2.77 which means that the game could swing either way.

The two previous fixtures between the two sides last season resulted in two draws 1-1 and 2-2.