THIS WEEKEND’S MATCH PREVIEW – GUISELEY (FA TROPHY) KICK-OFF 3.00PM

Dulwich Hamlet welcome the Guiseley Lions into the Champion Hill colosseum as they look to continue their quest for FA Trophy glory.

Having reached that Promised Land of the Vanarama National League, the new season has proved something of a struggle after a promising start. Despite an opening day defeat at Welling United after the opening four games the Lions had 7 points in the bag, thanks to wins at home to Altrincham (1-0) & Kidderminster (1-0) and a draw on the road at Barrow. That left them in a comfortable 8th spot.

However back-to-back defeats at home to Aldershot Town and Gateshead opened eyes to the tough task ahead as the Lions slipped down the table. A run of three draws steadied the ship, that run including a manic 4-4 with Woking that saw a two goal deficit after 13 minutes wiped out before a dingdong second half saw Guiseley snatch a share of the lions with a 90th minute Jake Lawlor equaliser. However, results elsewhere did not favour the Lions as they dropped closer to the relegation places.

A narrow 2-1 win at home to FC Halifax Town, draws on a long trip down to Dover Athletic and at home to Southport followed by a Tom Craddock’s 80th goal to settle victory at Braintree Town meant a position of some security in mid table, the Lions unbeaten in seven outings. But then a run of three defeats on the spin saw alarm bells ringing again at Nethermoor Park. That winless run looked to have been ended away to Wrexham, the Lions leading 3-2 going into the final stages but a red card for opening scorer Gavin Rothery left them a man shy at the death, robbed of a much-needed win as Conor Jennings levelled it at 3-3 for the Welshmen on 90 minutes.

The draw kings of the National League were at it when Nicky Boshell’s last gasp penalty gave Guiseley a share of the points at home to Boreham Wood and perhaps it was no surprise when their FA Fourth Qualifying round at home to FC Halifax Town ended the same way. That afternoon the two Yorkshire sides shared four goals but come the Shaymen had the upper hand, ending the Lions hopes of making to through to the First Round with a 2-1 win at Nethermoor.

The return to action in the Vanarama National League saw Guiseley gain revenge for their opening day defeat at Welling as the Wings were clipped, an Anthony Dudley double in the first half doing for the Kent side. Bouncing on from that the Guiseley Lions roared once more with a 3-1 win as the wheels were knocked off Barrow.

However, it was different story on the road at Cheltenham Town, galloping away at the top of the table and giving it five as Guiseley were ground up in Gloucestershire. The next opponents come not have come at a worse time, well-oiled Eastleigh dining out as they romped to a 4-1 win at Nethermoor. A trip to Tranmere Rovers, relegated from the Football League, ensued. Another tough task it seemed but when Danny Boshell gave the Lions a 24th minute lead Prenton Park was stilled, only to erupt back into life as James Norwood levelled on the stroke of halftime. As if to drive a dagger into Guiseley hearts, the same player would rob them of a share of the spoils as he calmly converted a match winning penalty in the final seconds.

After climbing back into 14th spot, that run of defeats had seen the Lions drop to within three places of the last relegation spot. The pendulum seemed to swing back and forth, Guiseley beating Bromley at home at the end of November before sharing the points in a 1-1 draw with FC Halifax in the clubs’ fourth meeting of the season. Dulwich Hamlet and Harrow Borough fans can sympathise! On the scoresheet again in both was Bury FC loanee Dudley, taking his tally to five in seven appearances.

A attritional battle followed in the FA Trophy, the Lions coming out on top in a cross Pennine battle finally getting the better of troublesome opposition in the shape of Burscough, flying high in the EvoStic First Division North. After a 2-2 draw at Burscough, Guiseley thinking they’d won through after Danny Lowe found the net with seven minutes left only for Will Jones to head home unmarked from a corner five minutes later, it was back to Nethermoor for the replay. Again Guiseley found their Lancashire adversaries to be tougher than their pyramid position suggested, Burscough drawing first blood but the Lions roaring back to as Rothery converted a penalty before an own goal & Nicky Boshell’s acrobatic effort back it 3-1 to the hosts at the break. Burscough reduced the arrears after the interval but though the Lions endured some sticky moments late on they survived to book their passage through.

Since then the wet weather has played havoc with Guiseley’s fixture schedule. Key home games including a money-spinning Christmastide game with Grimsby and the visit of megabucks Forest Green Rovers have fallen by the wayside. With the exception of that FA Trophy replay, the Lions have been without a home game since defeating Bromley on Saturday 28th November. On the road Guiseley lost to the only goal of the game at Aldershot Town and were well beaten at Gateshead 3-0 though they picked up a valuable point in a battling 1-1 draw away to Grimsby in their last fixture on the 2nd January. However, that enforced fortnight’s break may not be as disadvantageous as it sounds with manager Mark Bower looking to call upon a number of players side-lined by injury of late. In addition, he will also have the services of striker Dudley who has returned from Bury for a second loan spell.

This Saturday’s game kicks off at 3.00 pm at Champion Hill Stadium, Edgar Kail Way, East Dulwich, London SE22 8BD.

The turnstiles will be open from approximately 1.00 pm with refreshment facilities available in the ground for early arrivals. Before the game why not enjoy a drink or snack in our cosy clubhouse with live sport on the big screens, conveniently situated just a short walk from the turnstiles?

Please note – this game is ALL PAY. Season tickets are NOT valid for this game. Sorry!

ADMISSION PRICES

• £10 for Adults
• £4 for Concessions (Seniors - 60+, Under 18s, Unemployed (JSA), Full Time Students and Members of the Armed Forces and Blue Light Services. PLEASE present valid ID)
• Under 12s FREE accompanied by a paying adult.