Lockwood wants a lot more from Guiseley

GUISELEY may have taken a commendable four points out of six this week – but do let it be said that tough-taskmaster Adam Lockwood is happy.

The Nethermoor outfit can round off a productive week in their battle against the National League drop with victory over Chester on home soil tomorrow, but Lockwood has warned that standards must significantly improve if the Lions are to do so.

Despite seeing his side end their away goal drought on the road, thanks to Jake Cassidy’s late leveller in a 1-1 derby draw at fellow strugglers York City on Tuesday evening, Lockwood refused to gloss over what he considered to be a lacklustre performance from his side.

The Lions chief is demanding that things improve in tomorrow’s encounter with Chester – seven days on from the rather more impressive 3-1 home win over Boreham Wood – achieved thanks to goals from Rob Atkinson, Will Hatfield and Cassidy.

Lockwood, perhaps refreshingly from a managerial perspective, has refused to absolve himself from criticism following what he perceived to be a collective dropping of standards at Bootham Crescent.

It represents a clear barometer that the bar has been lifted by Guiseley, with a point that would have been greeted with rather more enthusiasm at the start of the season now being viewed in not such a positive light – with standards having been raisen by Lockwood and his assistant Dave Penney

Lockwood said: “Chester is another difficult test and I have also said that if we are not right ourselves, we are in for a tough night or afternoon.

“We were not right at York. Whether that is me on the management side or the management team or the players doing more individually – or players as a team in terms of motivating each other when they go over that white line.

“But the lads in the dressing room know that and we are all quite honest with each other. Me and Dave as well in the management. It a team and club effort and a joint effort.

“We will all work together and try and improve ourselves. Me and Dave included and we will see where we go.

“I was really disappointed at York to be honest, even though I was delighted to score the equaliser late on.

“I was not happy with the way we performed, not as individuals but as a team and we need to be a lot better.”

At home at least, Guiseley have been reassuringly consistent of late and they are looking to extend their unbeaten run at Nethermoor to six matches tomorrow.

Opponents Chester, who confirmed the appointment of former Watford and Scotland striker Chris Iwelumo as assistant manager to former York winger Jon McCarthy earlier this week, come into the game on the back of a decent November which saw them secure three draws and two wins.

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FC Halifax Town boss Billy Heath is hoping the magic of the Emirates FA Cup will inspire his players to lift their game at Eastleigh on Sunday, kick-off 2pm.

Neither the Shaymen nor their National League hosts are in the best of shape as they strive to earn a possible money-spinning tie with one of the biggest clubs in the country.

Town made a poor start to their defence of the FA Trophy, losing a home replay to lower league Matlock by 3-2 on Tuesday, while the Hampshire side have suffered back-to-back defeats, had to deal with the resignation of boss Ronnie Moore before announcing the appointment of Martin Allen yesterday.

Heath knows it is a glorious chance for the Shaymen and he is hoping they can recapture the form which saw them knock out Dagenham and Redbridge over two games in the last round.

Heath said: “Hopefully the real Halifax will turn up. Hopefully we can go there and be as good as we have in the previous rounds. If we don’t then we’ll be in big trouble.

“If we put a shift in, roll our sleeves up, get a bit of cohesion on the ball, then we can get a result. But the players have got to be brave, which is about wanting the ball when you’ve given it away, working hard to get it back.

“It’s not running around flying into challenges. Being brave when things aren’t going well is partly that, but it’s also getting on the ball, wanting the ball.

“At times on Tuesday, did we really want to get on the ball?

“We’ve all got to roll our sleeves up and show some desire and work-rate.

“We’ve got to find a way of winning when we’re not playing well, and you do that by working hard and stopping the opposition playing.”

In National League North tomorrow Harrogate Town host AFC Telford, while third-from-bottom Bradford Park Avenue are at home to Kidderminster Harriers.

In the Evo-Stik League Premier, Frickley Athletic will be looking to build on their victory at Halesowen last week when they host Warrington Town.

In First Division North, third-placed Farsley Celtic host Trafford, fifth-placed Ossett Town entertain Kendal, sixth-placed Brighouse Town are at home to Glossop North End, Tadcaster Albion travel to Clitheroe while Ossett Albion play at Colne.

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Fourth-placed Pickering will be looking to pick up another three points tomorrow when they travel to play next-to-bottom Armthorpe Welfare in the Premier Division.

Town come into the game on the back of Tuesday’s 3-0 North Riding Senior Cup victory over Redcar Athletic.

Seventh-placed Liversedge could go above tomorrow’s opponents Handsworth Parramore with victory at Clayborn.

Struggling Harrogate Railway face an important home clash with one of the four teams below them in the league – Retford United.

Railway are currently 10 points above the relegation zone but victory tomorrow would help take some pressure off ahead of the festive programme.

AFC Emley could take over at the top of Division One if they can see off Westella and Willerby at home and leaders Penistone Church slip up against Hallam.

Emley come into the game in fine form after a 6-0 midweek thumping of Worsbrough Bridge.

The big game of the day in Division One sees third-placed Pontefract Collieries host 11th-placed Selby Town. Knaresborough Town can move in the play-off places with victory at fifth-placed Hall Road Rangers.

Elsewhere, Yorkshire Amateur travel to Rossington Main while basement-side Nostell Miners Welfare play host to Campion.