FA Cup: Guiseley midfielder Will Hatfield out to write more Cup history

The 27-year-old saw his name in lights for his wonderful strike in the Lions’ thrilling 4-3 first-round success over Cambridge United at Nethermoor earlier this month, but even that moment was perhaps eclipsed by events just over six years ago.

It arrived in a first-round tie at AFC Fylde, with Hatfield, then at Accrington, posting an incredible four-goal salvo.

The matchball is still resident at Hatfield’s home and another memento to treasure by way of helping Guiseley make history by beating Fleetwood Town in front of the TV cameras on Monday night and reaching the third round for the first time in their history would not go amiss.

Hatfield told the YEP: “If I can repeat anything like that, I will be a happy man.

“The four goals sticks with me and people bring it up now and again. You play the game for moments like scoring four goals in an FA Cup tie and another good goal with the cameras there again (against Cambridge) and I am hoping to be writing more headlines for myself.

“Unfortunately I did not get an award for the four goals. I don’t know why I didn’t, but I was just delighted to get four goals in a game and I still have the FA Cup ball at home. I have fond memories of the FA Cup and I just hope it continues.

“If we can get to the third round, that is like a ‘cup final’ for us and we would be delighted. I suppose it does not matter who we would get – as long as we reach that magic third round. But we will obviously know who we have got before the game, so it might provide some added motivation if one of the big boys get pulled out.”

Many of Hatfield’s family and friends will be attendance at Nethermoor on Monday – and he will also renew acquaintances with a few old mates in Fleetwood colours – including loan defender Lewie Coyle and ex-keeper Alex Cairns, who have affiiliations with his first club Leeds United.

But the friendships will certainly be put on hold for 90 minutes as the Lions chase glory and a place in the record books.

Hatfield added: “I was with Alex for a while and then there’s Lewie Coyle and James Husband. There is a few connections from Leeds who it will be good to catch up with at the same time. I would not say I am mates with them in terms of speaking every day.

“But you know what social media is like these days and you always keep an eye on each other and we had little conversations when the draw got announced and we are looking forward to seeing each other.”

On what could potentially be a huge night for Guiseley, he added: “This tie is massive for the whole club and hierarchy as well. There were a lot of troubles last season, but this is a new start and we have got to enjoy every moment as a club and hopefully we can get as many fans down as possible to cheer us on and it will be a great night all around.

“My dad is always there at every game and he will be there again and you never know, I might tempt my mum to come on Monday night if I can get her out of the house! There is a lot of hype about the tie and I am sure all my friends and family will be watching, whether on the TV or at the ground.

“Hopefully, we can show we are all about and if we perform to what we are capable of, then there is no reason why we cannot get into the third round.”

Halifax Town entertain AFC Wimbledon in their second-round tie on Saturday (12.30pm).