Lockwood targeting more away success

IF GUISELEY require any inspiration ahead of tomorrow’s National League encounter at Woking, it arrives in plentiful supply.

Adam Lockwood’s Lions, in a decent vein of pre-Christmas form on the back of a four-match unbeaten sequence in all competitions, make the long trip to Surrey in good heart –and with good reason too.

It is due in part to their long overdue first away win in almost ten long months after overcoming Chorley in the FA Trophy last weekend, thanks to a strike from recalled striker Michael Rankine – with Victory Park also famously being the scene of arguably the club’s finest hour in achieving promotion to the Conference in May 2015.

Fast forward to this weekend and Guiseley will be chasing another milestone, namely their first three points on the road since February 13.

That ironically arrived at the Kingfield Stadium – home of their opponents tomorrow – courtesy of a goal from Liam Dickinson in a single-goal triumph and how Lockwood would take something akin to a re-run tomorrow.

More especially since Guiseley have not taken three points in 18 away matches since their previous visit to Woking, with the Lions having claimed a miserly two points from a possible 36 on their travels this term – picking up solitary draws at York City and Maidstone.

Lockwood, who says that the sterling performance of his rejigged side at Chorley has handed him a few welcome selection dilemmas ahead of tomorrow’s encounter, said: “It (Chorley win) maybe broke the little hoodoo away from home. But to be honest, I did not see it like that and it was more about the performance at Chorley and everybody conducted themselves fantastically.

“At this stage of the season, you come to places and the weather is not good and it’s cold, But we were outstanding on that side of things at Chorley.

“I bang on about standards and things like that and maintaining what we are about and Chorley was a big example of that.

“There were lots of positives and not too many negatives and we need to build on that.”

Alongside a first away win in ten months last weekend, the game was also noteworthy for just a second clean sheet on the road this term, with Guiseley now seeking to perform that away feat in the league tomorrow.

One figure who is likely to play a major part of that is keeper Jon Maxted, who repelled everything that came in his direction in Lancashire – with some ‘tough love’ from Lockwood and his coaching team paying off.

Lockwood, who also expressed delight at the performances of James Wesolowski and newcomer Elliott Green last weekend, added: “I keep being demanding and I am as demanding on Jon as anybody in the team and ultimately I just want to improve him.

“If he improves, the team improves and if everybody improves as players and people, then we will not go far wrong.”

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Ossett Town will be hoping their neighbours Ossett Albion can do them a favour and pull off a victory at First Division North leaders Lancaster City tomorrow.

If Albion can pull off an upset or claim a point in Lancashire, Town will move clear at the top provided they get the better of Mossley at Ingfield.

Elsewhere in First Division North, Farsley Celtic will be looking for maximum points from their home clash with basement-side Burscough tomorrow.

Seventh-placed Celtic have a host of games in hand on their promotion rivals and victory tomorrow will set them up for a new year charge up the table.

Meanwhile, Brighouse Town’s manager Paul Quinn and his players hope that Monday night’s 1-0 home win over Goole in the West Riding County FA Senior Cup will serve as the catalyst to shake off the unwanted title of draw specialists.

Eighth-placed Town have a good chance to complete a double over lowly Droylsden tomorrow following their 2-1 win on September 24 at the Butchers Arms thanks to a Luke Parkin brace.

Town should have leading goalscorer Parkin back after he was rested on Monday and also centre-half Alex Low, who was nursing a sore shin bone after last Saturday’s 1-1 draw at fourth-placed Trafford.

Elsewhere, Tadcaster Albion will be looking to get back to winning ways when they travel to Radcliffe Borough.

In the Premier Division, Frickley Athletic play at Nantwich Town looking to build on their excellent 4-0 victory over Ilkeston last time out.

In the National League North, seventh-placed FC Halifax Town play host to AFC Telford United, while 10th-placed Harrogate Town travel to FA Cup nearly-men Curzon Ashton.

Elsewhere, third-from-bottom Bradford Park Avenue host Brackley.

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Third-placed Pickering Town will be looking to keep the pressure on second-placed Thackley when they travel to Rainworth Miners Welfare in the Premier Division tomorrow.

Town are just three points behind Thackley and have a superior goals difference, so could move into the top two if results go their way. Pickering will be boosted by their 5-0 midweek victory over Harrogate Railway.

There is a Yorkshire derby at Station View as struggling Railway host seventh-placed Liversedge, while Garforth Town have a tough fixture at Thackley.

Elsewhere, Hemsworth Miners Welfare play at Worksop Town, where they will want to make amends for their 6-3 home thumping by basement-side Barton Town OB last weekend.

In Division One, leaders AFC Emley host mid-table Eccleshill United on the back of victories over Ollerton and Worksop Town in the league and League Cup respectively. They will also be seeking their sixth clean sheet in a row.

Pontefract Collieries are only two points behind Emley in third spot and they will look to keep the pressure on with victory at lowly Rossington Main tomorrow.

Elsewhere, eighth-placed Knaresborough Town host seventh-placed Campion, while Selby Town travel to Dronfield.

Glasshoughton Welfare visit Brigg Town tomorrow, while there’s a Yorkshire derby at Nostell Miners Welfare as Yorkshire Amateur are the visitors.