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Guiseley AFC: Kittrick’s eyeing up another FA Trophy tilt
Steve Kittrick.
Guiseley are back on the FA Trophy trail with boss Steve Kittrick eyeing something even better than last season’s quarter-final berth.
The Lions welcome Blue Square North title rivals Stalybridge Celtic to Nethermoor tomorrow for a second round tie offering £6,000 and a last 16 berth to the winner.
However, while Kittrick expects a tough encounter against the Celts the Lions boss admits another fine Trophy run to mirror last season’s is the definite aim.
Guiseley eventually went out to Luton Town in last year’s quarter-finals and joining the Hatters in Blue Square Premier is the primary aim – Guiseley’s promotion hopes having taken a knock last weekend when they suffered a 4-1 loss at Bishop’s Stortford.
However, Kittrick hopes the defeat acts as the “kick up the backside” his men need ahead of a Trophy tie which the Lions boss says is of paramount importance.
“We got to the quarter-finals of the Trophy last year and the lads are up for it again,” said Kittrick.
“We want to get further than we did last year and that’s what we are looking for.
Massive
“Financially it’s also good for the club and it’s also a good competition to boost the profile of the club.
“This is a massive cup and people know my thoughts on cup competitions – I don’t even put weakened sides out in the County Cup.
“Cups are there for a reason and they are there to be won.”
The Lions will be without the cup-tied James Walshaw tomorrow while Danny Forrest faces a fitness test on the hamstring injury that has kept him sidelined for the last few weeks.
However, Kittrick has been thoroughly impressed with his players’ attitude in training this week as they bid to bounce back from last week’s disappointing loss at Bishop Stortford.
Almost inevitably, that setback came immediately after Kittrick had been named Blue Square North manager of the month – that particular dreaded curse striking again.
“I didn’t fancy us when we got there and I thought we had trained a bit lethargically in the week,” said Kittrick of last week’s defeat.
“But there were no excuses – they did a job on us and when a run comes to an end there is no disgrace in getting beaten; it just gives you the kick up the backside you need sometimes.
“Now we have had a chat about it, it’s out of the system and we’ll go again. We’ll turn a corner and it was only a blip – it happens.
“Things also went for us last week with Hyde and Stalybridge both getting beaten but it just means it gives the other teams the chance to get closer to us in Halifax, Nuneaton and Gainsborough.”
It is, though, tomorrow’s visitors Stalybridge who Kittrick still expects to emerge as Guiseley’s chief title rivals – despite Hyde currently being well clear at the top.
Kittrick may yearn for Trophy progression tomorrow but knows it won’t be easy.
“Ourselves and Stalybridge know enough about each other and it will be a good game – as it was at their place earlier on in the season,” said Kittrick.
“And I’ve already gone on record and said that if we finish above Stalybridge then I think we’ll win the league.
“They are a good side, they are well organised and they train every day because they are full time. It will be a good game but I’ve got no doubts it will be a really hard game as well.”
Also in second round FA Trophy action tomorrow are York City who visit Salisbury.
Gary Mills’ Minstermen have been busy in the transfer window signing striker Moses Ashikodi from Kettering Town and fellow front man Matthew Blinkhorn whose contract at Sligo Rovers had expired.
Meanwhile, it’s the bread and butter of Blue Square Premier for both Halifax Town and Harrogate Town tomorrow with Neil Aspin’s promotion-chasers at home to seventh-placed Worcester City.
Victory could take the Shaymen third.
Simon Weaver’s Harrogate outfit make the long trip to Bishop’s Stortford that went so pear-shaped for Guiseley last week.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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