Enforced break aids Guiseley's recovery

Bower’s side face Dulwich Hamlet in the FA Trophy tomorrow.

Their clash against Forest Green Rovers last Saturday was postponed after the rainfall left the Nethermoor Park pitch in an unplayable state.

That means tomorrow at 3pm will be the first action Guiseley have had since the 1-1 draw against Grimsby on January 2, a gap of 14 days.

However, Bower believes the spell without a match could work out to his side’s benefit as it has allowed a long list of injuries to clear up.

He said: “It can work both ways. Having not played for a couple of weeks can leave you a little bit rusty.

“Really, it gave us a bit of time to clear up a few injuries. We may have had eight, possibly even nine players unavailable last Saturday, so it may have been a blessing in disguise.

“We have quite a few of those back for the Dulwich game this weekend.

“Obviously we wanted to play the game, but in the grander scheme of things it might have worked out.”

Dulwich have emerged as the hipster club of choice over the last few years and have attracted a committed and sizeable following. They tend to average over a thousand fans per game, a staggering total for a side in the Isthmian League Premier Division.

Bower admits he is looking forward to the trip to Champion Hill in South London, although believes it could prove a tough tie after the experience against Burscough in the previous round.

“They will have a decent crowd in,” he said.

“They have been getting decent crowds in for non-league football. It’s going to be a tough game.

“They are on a terrific run and we saw in the last round, playing against Burscough, a team from the leagues below on a great run, they can be tough to get past.

“We have to be right on top of our game to get through to the next round.”

Guiseley were boosted by the return of Anthony Dudley on loan from Bury last week.

Dudley had previously impressed in a spell earlier this season, scoring five times in seven games.

Bower believes the 20-year-old will not take much time to find his feet again.

“I think Rob Atkinson and Ben Parker have been out for longer than he’s been away,” Bower joked.

He continued: “He shouldn’t have any problems settling back into the squad. The players around him know him and he knows the players around as well.

“We brought him back because he did well for us and scored goals, and hopefully he can do the same thing between now and the end of the season.”

Bower also confirmed that Atkinson and Parker have returned to full training.

Elsewhere in the FA Trophy, Halifax Town host Barrow.

Harrogate Town travel to Tamworth in the National League North.

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Tadcaster Albion long-term nightmare has turned into a positive, with the club looking to rebuild the i2i Stadium.

A campaign branded ‘after the Storm comes the Rainbow’ has seen Albion reveal their plans for the renovations.

While they may choose to relocate the stadium, the current plan is to rebuild the devastated arena on the same site.

A statement on the club’s website said: “Following the devastating floods, we are looking to rebuild the i2i Stadium. A huge two-storey club house is on the agenda.

“The plan would be to have several function rooms on the first floor, two bar areas, educational classrooms, corporate hospitality overlooking the pitch, seating in the main stand incorporated into the clubhouse and raised seating behind both goals with standing areas at the side of the dugouts.”

Unsurprisingly, Albion have had to postpone their game against Armthorpe Welfare, which was scheduled to take place tomorrow.

Albion will be fearful that their extended spell without a league game could scupper their promotion hopes. They have not played since December 19 and have dropped off top spot as a result, although they are only a point behind Worksop Town with a game in-hand.

Elsewhere in the Northern Counties East Football League Premier Division, Pontefract Collieries will be in action tomorrow when they host Brigg Town. Brigg are currently two places below Pontefract, although there is a significant five-point gap between the two sides.

Nostell Miners Welfare travel to the home of sixth-placed side Albion Sports, while Liversedge face Staveley Miners Welfare away from home.

Division One gives league leaders Hemsworth Miners Welfare an opportunity to extend the distance between themselves and second-placed AFC Mansfield, although they are reliant on getting past Grimsby Borough and hoping that Teversal can hold the chasing side.

Selby Town, 14th in the division, could climb up to 12th with a victory on the road against Yorkshire Amateur.

A victory for Glasshoughton Welfare against hosts Rossington Main tomorrow would see them leapfrog their opponents. Westella VIP face Knaresborough Town.

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Frickley Athletic have been handed a boost ahead of the match against Darlington 1883 with the expected inclusion of new signing Louis Horne in their squad.

The 24-year-old defender began his career with Bradford City before a nomadic spell that has seen him represent the likes of Halifax Town, Buxton, Goole and FC United of Manchester.

Manager Karl Rose will also be able to call upon Jameel Ible and Luke Hinsley after the duo returned from suspension.

Victory for Frickley could see the 14th-placed side climb one place in the table, although they are currently three points behind Ilkeston FC in 13th. In the First Division North, Ossett Albion will be looking to climb up to third with a win against Lancaster City.

When the two sides met at Queen’s Terrace last campaign, the visitors triumphed 2-0, a result Ossett will be keen to avoid this time around.

Elsewhere, Farsley Celtic visit Droylsden a week after their sensational 4-0 victory against New Mills.

Celtic are on an excellent run of form, having won every game since November 10. They have also only conceded five goals in the process.

Harrogate Railway Athletic will be looking to climb out of the drop zone when they face Prescot Cables tomorrow.

However, that jump would require a loss on the part of Ossett Town, who are currently a place and three points ahead of them.

Ossett travel to Bamber Bridge on Saturday.