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Guiseley AFC: Kittrick wants to stay on the road to Wembley
CAPITAL GAINS: Steve Kittrick and Guiseley have Wembley in their sights.
The lure of Wembley makes tomorrow’s FA Trophy diversion at Cambridge United a welcome one for Blue Square Bet North promotion-chasers Guiseley.
With the Nethermoor outfit currently on course for their main target of promotion to non-league football’s top tier – and the chance to play the likes of Cambridge every week – boss Steve Kittrick could be forgiven for seeing tomorrow’s third round tie as a distraction despite the £7,000 prizemoney on offer to the winners.
Especially with title-rivals Hyde in league action, and with the possibility of stretching their lead over second-placed Guiseley to 15 points, leaving the Lions with five games in hand.
But Kittrick is having none of that. Not with Guiseley – who came agonisingly close to a final appearance in 1994 when they were beaten 2-1 on aggregate by Runcorn in the two-legged semi-finals – within touching distance of a second successive appearance in the last-eight, and with Wembley looming large on the horizon.
“The reality is, on paper, we are only three or four matches away from Wembley and that’s a massive incentive,” said Kittrick.
“I have never been to Wembley – except as a fan to watch – and if we get through this and into the quarter-finals then anything is possible.
“The league is the priority but this is a nice distraction. It’s got to be when at the end of this, if you are successful, you get to play at that stadium.
Prestigious
“Every footballer wants to play at Wembley, no matter what level they play at, and this is a prestigious competition. We want to do well.”
Guiseley, who beat Eastbourne Borough in the third round last season before losing by a single goal to Luton in the quarter-finals, may be the underdogs, but they certainly head to Cambridge with form on their side.
They have lost just once in 19 outings in all competitions and, as well as sitting pretty in the league, booked their place in the semi-finals of the West Riding County Cup with a victory over divisional rivals FC Halifax Town in midweek.
Cambridge, on the other hand, have lost three of their last eight games and have slipped to 10th in the Blue Square Bet Premier, and Kittrick is expecting a close game – if the tie passes a pitch inspection.
“We had them watched last Saturday so we have a bit of a dossier on them and they have strengthened this week,” he said. “They are a good side, they have a good set-up and they are looking to get into the play-offs.
“But we have done well in our league and we will be looking to take that form into this match. It should make for a good game of football and I’m sure both sides will treat each other with respect.
“We’re not going there to make up the numbers, we want to at least come away with a draw and get them back to our place, but essentially we will be going there to win.”
The one blow for Guiseley is they will be without midfielder Gavin Rothery, who is expected to be in pot for six weeks after sustaining a foot injury in Tuesday night’s West Riding County Cup quarter-final victory over Halifax.
Guiseley are expected to take a large travelling contingent to the Abbey Stadium, with the club offering free travel in an effort to maximise support.
Anyone who wishes to take up the offer should contact Paul on 07518 445861.
Non-members of the Supporters’ Club will be asked to join for the rest of the current season at the rate of £5 in order to take advantage of the offer.
Meanwhile, in Blue Square North tomorrow, Harrogate Town will look to continue their improved form when they play host to Corby. Simon Weaver’s men have suffered just one defeat in their last five outings.
FC Halifax Town are also at home, to Nuneaton Town.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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