Guiseley ready to get down to business (From Ilkley Gazette)

Guiseley ready to get down to business

11:51pm Thursday 16th August 2012 in Sport

Guiseley manager Steve Kittrick isn’t holding too much store by the result of their final pre-season friendly.

The Lions went down 3-0 last Saturday at Evo-Stik Division One North Ossett Town, and Kittrick said: “Ossett were up for it, it was the first time they have played at home, it is one of my old clubs, they wanted to prove a point and the pitch wasn’t as good as we expected – but they are not excuses.

“The important thing is this Saturday’s Blue Square Bet North opener at Histon – but we should remember that we might have to go back to Ossett Town in the FA Cup, the County Cup or the FA Trophy.

“We have talked about it, and let’s just say that I learnt one or two things about my players’ character – and so we move on.

”Ossett’s ground is unexpectedly named The Stade de France but Guiseley suffered the same fate as so many English rugby union sides who have played in the more famous Stade de France in Paris down the years.

Lee Bennett put Town ahead in the first minute, Andy Catton adding to their tally in the 40th and 60th minutes.

Guiseley got no change out of their former loanee keeper Matt Convey, although Simon Ainge, Danny Forrest, Gavin Rothery and Andy Holdsworth all went close for the visit-ors.

Guiseley: Drench, Clarke, McWilliams, Holdsworth (N Boshell 60), Ellis (Bower 62), Ainge, Brooksby (Dale 76), D Boshell, Wilson, Forrest, Rothery (Meynell HT).

Substitutes not used: Giles, Parkinson.

Kittrick has confirmed that Guiseley are still interested in signing one or two more players but wouldn’t say where on the pitch they might be utilised.

It is more than likely, however, that some players will be coming through the club’s Academy system into the first-team squad.

The Lions boss said: “We already have two 16-year-olds training with us, and they are doing all right, but it is something that we will be looking at on a week-to-week basis and a month-to-month basis.

“However, the first thing the Academy players need to look at is establishing them-selves in the Academy team.

”Histon already have one trophy in the bag this season.

They defeated visitors Cambridge City 2-1 in the Cambridge Professional Cup final last Saturday with goals from midfielder Adrian Sear, who has just signed from St Neots Town, and Claudiu Hoban.

However, their most prolific scorer in the ten pre-season friendlies, five of which they have won, has been striker Dan Holman, who has already bagged six goals.

“He scored three times against us last season, and I am a bit surprised he is still there,” said Kittrick.

“We will have to keep an eye on him but, that apart, I know very little about Histon and I am sure they know very little about us.

”Last season, Guiseley drew 2-2 at Histon in January, James Walshaw getting both of the Lions’ goals, including one from the penalty spot, and had the same scoreline at Neth-ermoor in March, when Danny Boshell and Nathan Ellington were on target.

l Guiseley have again been tipped to reach the play-offs this season – by Blue Square Bet North’s Alan Alger.

FC Halifax Town have been backed to take the title, with Gainsborough Trinity, Altrin-cham and Chester predicted to join the Lions to tussle for the other promotion berth.

Alger says Guiseley “have a slightly weaker squad”.