After a comfortable 4-0 victory away at Longridge Town, Avro’s next challenge is a huge FA Cup tie against Guiseley in the first qualifying round – a stage of the competition which we have never seen before.
Our dominant display at the Recycling Lives Ground meant that we maintained our 100% record and also secured a sixth successive clean sheet in the league – the perfect response to our loss on penalties at Emley AFC in the FA Vase. And now it is another cup tie which is at the forefront of our attention.
The Opposition
Guiseley play in the NPL Premier Division, two tiers up from ourselves in the non league pyramid. Last season, they were relegated from National League North after finishing last of the 22 teams.
They have definitely started this year’s campaign in better form than they finished last season, as they currently sit in 8th position with 10 points from a potential 18. However, they will obviously be looking to improve on this to secure their promotion back to the National League North.
Guiseley AFC last six results
13/08/22 Marine (H) L 3-0
16/08/22 Morpeth Town (A) W 3-1
20/08/22 Nantwich Town (A) W 1-0
23/08/22 Whitby Town (H) W 2-1
27/08/22 Stalybridge Celtic (A) D 0-0
29/08/22 Bamber Bridge (H) L 1-0
Head to Head
The two sides have unsurprisingly never faced each other in any competition. However, the Lions have come up against some of the same opponents we will face later on this year in the shape of Vauxhall Motors – as they used to battle in the National league North several years ago.
The only other correlation between the two clubs is Steven Drench, who started between the sticks on Monday night for Ro’s, replacing the injured Grant Shenton. He is a former Lions player with over 200 appearances for the club in a six year period from 2010-2016.
One to Watch
Striker Jake Cassidy has proved the main danger in front of goal this season. He returned to Guiseley AFC in the summer, having previously played for them during the 2016/17 campaign. During his career, he has gained plenty of league experience at Tranmere Rovers, Southend United, Oldham Athletic and Wolverhampton Wanderers. He has managed to get himself off to a flying start this season, securing a brace in a 3-0 win over Darlington and also bagging goals in games against Whitby Town and Morpeth Town.
