Guiseley boss Lockwood lifted on two fronts

The left-winger joined the club from Rochdale on Wednesday following a loan spell at Hednesford, with the 21-year-old having had previous National League experience at Wrexham and Southport.

Logan could be handed his debut in tomorrow’s home game with 18th-placed Torquay United, with Lockwood hoping that the wingman can make up for lost time after falling down the pecking order at Dale.

Lockwood said: “Joel has played in League One and I remember him from when he was playing in a good Rochdale side and I have seen a fair bit of him over the last couple of years.

“Sometimes, people don’t get a break and I feel as though he will add a bit to our squad and whenever I can do that, I will try and do it.

“I am happy with the squad and hopefully they will prove me right with some results by the end of the season.”

Lockwood is boosted by the availability of defender Connor Brown, who returns from suspension for the Gulls test – but Alex Lawlor and Simon Walton sit out the game due to bans.

Other than that, the Lions chief says his options are healthy ahead of his side’s return to action after last weekend’s break due to their involvement in the FA Cup ending.

Lockwood added: “Everyone in my squad is in contention, other than those who are injured or suspended. That is what I want – competition for places and if somebody does well, they stay in the side. It is all healthy.

“The break has helped a little bit as a few lads have had injuries and it has given them a little bit of a break and it will enable them to get back and sorted.

“We do have a couple still suspended, but that is why we have a squad and those that come in do have a chance to do well.”

Guiseley may prop up the table again ahead of their return to action, but Lockwood’s ‘cup very much remains half full’ with his side’s improved and far more competitive performances in the past month or so giving him reasons to believe.

The Lions, who returned to the bottom following North Ferriby’s draw with Wrexham, are still in touch with the side currently one place above the drop zone in York, who hold a five-point buffer over them.

And Lockwood believes that his side are turning the tide in terms of performances after taking seven points from the last 15 available. He added: “The lads have given me a lot of confidence in the past month or so with different styles of performances.

“They have risen to challenges in different games and it is encouraging to see, coming from the squad. They have come a long way, long may it continue.

“I want the lads to have standards and maintain those and even though we have had a gap of not playing, it is the same in training as it is on a match-day. We have got to be consistent and the standard will hopefully be good enough at the end of the season.”

****

Harrogate Town boss Simon Weaver believes that victory over Tamworth tomorrow will re-ignite his side’s promotion push.

The men from the CNG Stadium have slipped down to eighth place in the National League North standings after failing to secure a win in their last five league outings.

But three points from this weekend’s home encounter could see Town climb back into the play-off positions.

“There’s some pressure on us going into this game because we’ve not won in a while, but if we beat Tamworth then we can be right back up there again,” Weaver said.

“We need to put a few results together and then we’ll be flying.

“Tamworth are a very good outfit, however. They work hard and are organised so we will have to be right on our mettle if we are to get something out of the match.”

Town arrested a run of five consecutive losses when they claimed a goalless draw at Salford City last weekend.

They then followed that result up with a 4-0 triumph over North West Counties Premier Division side Barnoldswick Town in the West Riding FA County Cup as Wayne Brooksby netted a hat-trick.

Elsewhere, third-from-bottom Bradford Park Avenue will be looking for another three points when they host Alfreton, while fifth-placed FC Halifax Town have a big game at home to fourth-placed Kidderminster.

In the Evo-Stik League First Division North, second-placed Brighouse Town will be aiming to return to the top of the table with a win at Glossop North End.

Fourth-placed Ossett Town could also challenge for the top spot when they play Hyde United at Ewan Fields, while there is a Yorkshire derby between 19th-placed Ossett Albion and 10th-placed Tadcaster Albion at Dimple Wells.

Sixth-placed Scarborough Athetlic host Droylsden and will be hoping to pick up their first win of November.

In the FA Trophy second qualifying round, Farsley Celtic – sitting pretty at top of the Evo-Stik First Division – will be hoping to knock out Barwell, who have suffered a slump of form in the Premier Division.

In the Premier Division, third-from-bottom Frickley Athletic will be looking to claim an important three points from their trip to Ashton United.

****

Three teams will be flying the flag for West Yorkshire in the FA Vase tomorrow.

AFC Emley of the NCEL Division One will face high-flying Cleethorpes Town of the Premier Division who have yet to lose a league encounter this season.

Sixth-placed Pickering Town of the NCEL Premier host Northern League Division One side Shildon and will be hoping they can take full advantage of home comforts.

Elsewhere in the Vase, Hemsworth are at home to Dunston of Northern League Division One.

In the NCE Premier Division, third-placed Liversedge travel to mid-table Clipstone and a victory could see them close in on second-placed Thackley and make up for last week’s disappointing home defeat to Pickering Town. And a Yorkshire derby sees 15th-placed Garforth Town travel to 18th-placed Harrogate Railway.

An entertaining game is expected as both sides will be looking to pick up much-needed points.

In Division One, 11th-placed Selby Town travel to leaders Penistone Church in what looks to be a difficult fixture for the travellers. Fifth-placed Pontefract Collieries take on fourth-placed Knaresborough Town in what looks to be one of the games of the day.

Elsewhere, Yorkshire Amateur will be hoping to end their three-game losing streak when they host Brigg Town.