Guiseley are licking lips at payback prospects

The play-off-chasing Kent outfit recorded a comprehensive 3-0 verdict on their last visit to Nethermoor just over a month ago on February 16, with memories still fresh.

Bower says he will be reminding his players of how they felt on that late winter’s night when Dover ended Guiseley’s trophy dreams in powerhouse fashion and cajoling his charges to ensure there is nothing resembling a repeat as the hosts eye a bit of payback.

The Lions chief is the first to admit that Dover will represent a tough nut to crack, with the Whites up to fourth place in the table after a resounding 4-1 midweek win over Lincoln City and unbeaten on their travels in the league since just before Christmas.

But equally, despite his side being second best in their recent trophy replay, Bower says he will take heart from two draws in the league and trophy which his side have secured at the Crabble Ground this season.

Bower said: “I will be telling them that we need to step up against a very strong outfit and we certainly don’t want another night like we had on that Tuesday and we will mention that.

“In the Tuesday night (trophy) game here, they were just better than us and a controversial red card didn’t help us either and made it difficult.

“They are a big, strong and physical side who are well organised and who make it difficult for you.

“They have a lot of success playing that way and they have got every chance of finishing in the top five and it will be tough.

“But we have had two good performances and results down there and probably should have beaten them really in the first game in the FA Trophy.

“We will also mention that we caused them problems there and we are capable of getting a good result against them.”

Tuesday’s creditable home draw with Grimsby Town maintained Guiseley’s six-point gap above the drop zone, although Torquay United – the side currently in the final relegation place – do have a game in hand on the Lions. Bower, for his part, is mindful that tomorrow’s game marks the end of a gruelling run of games against sides fighting at the top of the table.

And you sense that if his troops can eke out a draw against the Whites to follow on from the hard-fought point versus Grimsby that he will not be overly unhappy.

Guiseley may not have won a league home game since beating Bromley on November 28 and head into tomorrow’s clash without three-point haul in seven games, but Bower insists there is no reason to panic.

Bower, whose side face teams just above them in Southport and Chester over Easter, added: “We are not in the bottom four and have got a decent gap and a few teams between us.

“Our games in the past seven or eight matches have all been against teams in the top half of the table, bar one. After Dover, we play a couple of teams in and around us.

“So, if we can pick something up against Dover after the draw with Grimsby, it will put us in a good position for two really big games over the Easter weekend.”

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Harrogate Railway manager Lee Ashforth says his side have “10 cup finals” remaining to save their Evo-Stik First Division status, writes JACK SPEDDING.

Railway, who are two points from safety but have played two more games than third-bottom Ossett Town, face play-off-chasing Clitheroe on Saturday, before the team plays just two days later against Burscough, another side fighting for a play-off spot.

Ashforth said: “When we look at the squad on paper, it feels like we have got the players to be able to compete in this league. I think the squad we have got now is good enough to be a mid-table side. We have 10 cup finals.”

The boss added that he probably won’t be adding to the side before the transfer deadline next Thursday, saying: “We might add someone to the squad if they come available but we can’t accommodate everybody and keep everybody happy.”

Elsewhere, Ossett Town will be looking to move away from the relegation places when they travel to Glossop North End, who sit comfortably in the play-off places.

Local rivals Ossett Albion will be hoping to turn their awful form around as they host Brighouse Town. Albion have dropped out of the top five following a run of eight defeats in 12.

Farsley Celtic, who are five points off fifth in eighth place, face Mossley.

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Tadcaster Albion will be looking to reclaim top spot in the NCE Premier Division as they take on Nostell Miners Welfare tomorrow, writes JACK SPEDDING.

The game sees second-top face second-bottom, and Albion will be wanting to recover from a surprise home defeat to mid-table Clipstone on Tuesday.

But Handsworth Parramore extended their unbeatean run to 12 after a convincing 6-2 win at Staveley Miners Welfare on Wednesday, meaning Billy Miller’s side now sit two points off the leaders, but with a game in hand on Handsworth.

Nostell, on the other hand, need to start winning games quickly.

They have not won in nine, are three points from safety and have played more games than the teams around them, including seven more games than bottom-club Liversedge.

Kevin Allsop’s men have the worst goalscoring record in the league, with only 33 strikes all season, eight fewer than second-worst Brigg Town.

Liversedge will be aiming to cut the six-point gap between them and safety when they travel to 10th-placed Maltby Main. Sedge have had an upward turn in fortunes recently, claiming seven points from a possible nine. However, Liversedge have not won a single away league game all season, something manager Jonathan Rimmington will desperately want to change.

Elsewhere, Garforth Town who are on a wretched run of form of just one win in 17, host Clipstone. Garforth currently sit eight points clear of the drop zone.

In Division One, runaway leaders Hemsworth Miners Welfare travel to fourth-placed AFC Emley. Despite the fact that Hemsworth are 14 points clear at the top, they will be wary of the hosts, who have scored 86 goals in 18 home games, and are still hunting for an automatic promotion place.

Knaresborough Town are away at Glasshoughton Welfare tomorrow, with a recent run of four wins in six giving them a chance of reaching the play-offs. Knaresborough are seven points off sixth-placed Shirebrook, but do have three games in hand. Glasshoughton, meanwhile, could move up one place into 14th with a win.

Selby Town face a trip to Shirebrook Town, who have lost three on the bounce. Selby currently lie 12th.