GUISELEY start what could be a season defining month in Vanarama Conference North on Saturday.

The Lions’ trip to Chorley is the beginning of six matches in February, five of which are against fellow teams in the top ten.

Fifth-placed Guiseley not only meet sixth-placed Chorley, but are also at Solihull Moors (currently ninth) on Saturday, February 28, with Nethermoor clashes against AFC Fylde (second, on Tuesday), Hednesford (fourth, a week on Saturday) and Boston United (seventh, on Saturday, February 21), as well as relegation-threatened Bradford Park Avenue (23rd, Tuesday, February 24).

“January has been a very frustrating month for us,” admitted Lions manager Mark Bower, “ not only because we lost two of our three matches, but also because we had games at home against the bottom two called off and wanted to get the Boston United defeat out of our system.

“There was no chance of playing last Saturday at home to Hyde as part of the pitch was frozen and part of it was waterlogged, but the lads have kept fit by training indoors, although we haven’t been able to use a full-sized pitch.

“February is a big month for us as it is our last chance to regularly affect the teams in and around us in the table.

“After that pretty much every match is against teams in the bottom half of the table, where we hope to pick up points.”

If Guiseley can stay in touch after their six matches this month, they also have six games in March, of which only the last is against a current top-ten side (eighth-placed North Ferriby United at home on March 28).

Their five fixtures in April, feature only one against a leading contender (Chorley at home on April 18), where they should be able to significantly climb the table.

At least the enforced breaks have given Guiseley, who are hoping to sign a striker on a permanent deal this week, the chance to rest some of their overworked players or those who have either been protecting injuries or on the comeback trail.

Bower explained: “We hope to have Andy Holdsworth, Ben Parker, Ryan Toulson and Oli Johnson in contention on Saturday.”