Match Preview :- Guiseley - Saturday January 14th, 2012 (15:00:00)

On Saturday, Celtic will travel to Guiseley in the FA Trophy (kick off 3pm). Guiseley are currently right behind Celtic in the league in third on forty-four, four points behind Celtic, having played two games less. There will be a live match centre for this game.

The Nethermoor is one of those grounds where Celtic never seem to get anything, with our best result there a draw. In the past nine meetings, we have won once: back in March 2000, at Bower Fold. We had three draws with the Yorkshire outfit prior to that win, two at Nethermoor, and one at Bower Fold. Since that win, Guiseley have won three out of the five games, including knocking Celtic out of the FA Trophy last season at Guiseley and the FA Cup this season at Bower Fold. Our last visit to Guiseley was earlier in the season, a game that we drew 1-1. Taking Guiseley back to Stalybridge isn't necessarily a way of progressing, and Celtic will want to capitalise on our good performance at Guiseley earlier in the season with a win.

Guiseley have had a solid season, only losing four times, three times on the road, including their last game at Bishop's Stortford. Their only home defeat this season was against Halifax back in September. Since that loss, they have won three of their five home games, and drawn two, including a solid win over Hyde.

Guiseley have scored in all their home games this season, and failed to score only twice on the road, once at Droylsden and again at Gainsborough. Encouragingly, Guiseley have not managed to keep a clean sheet at home since their 2-0 win over Hyde back in October, although they are only conceding a goal per game. Over the whole season, they have scored an average of 2.1 goals per game (2.6 at home), and conceded 1.1 goals per game (0.9 at home). Gavin Rothery has scored twelve of their forty-seven goals this season and is their top scorer. Lee Ellington is his closest rival with six. With half of their goals coming in the last twenty minutes, as well as half of their conceded twenty-five goals in the same period, Guiseley like to leave it late. Indeed, Guiseley have rescued a fair few points this season with goals in the last few minutes. Guiseley have the fifth best attack in the league, and the second best defence, one goal behind Nuneaton.

Guiseley have got to this point in the Trophy with a 7-0 thumping of Eastwood Town and a convincing 2-0 win over FC United. They have yet to concede a goal in the tournament. Their FA Cup exploits, after beating us at Bower Fold, saw them lose the following game to Ashington.

Guiseley have recently signed James Walshaw back from beleaguered Darlington. Walshaw was their top scorer last season, but the hit man will be watching from the stands in the Trophy match, having played for Halifax Town in their Trophy game against Colwyn Bay whilst on loan there. Gavin Rothery was sent off against Bishop's Stortford in Guiseley's last match, but the suspension for this will not kick in until the 21st, meaning he is eligible to play against us, and (should it go to one) a replay. Guiseley appear to have a fully fit squad to choose from, and in their last match, the 4-1 defeat away at Bishop's Stortford, Guiseley lined up as:
1. Steve Drench
2. Jamie Clarke
3. Dave Merris
4. Simon Ainge
5. Danny Ellis
6. Simon Baldry
7. Ciaran Toner
8. Andy Holdsworth
9. Gavin Rothery
10. Ian Senior
11. James Walshaw

Celtic may be able to welcome back Callum Warburton who has been injured for a few weeks, but has now resumed training. Additionally, bolstering the midfield is David Lynch, on loan from Burnley. Chris Lynch has been ill for a couple of weeks, but should also be available to play. Celtic have no suspension worries. In our last match, the 3-1 defeat at home to Droylsden saw Celtic line up as:
1. Jan Budtz
2. Joel Bembo-Leta
3. Andy McWilliams
4. Rhys Meynell
5. Kristian Platt
6. Jack Rea
7. Steve Brogan
8. Greg Wilkinson
9. Phil Marsh
10. Arthur Gnahoua
11. Mitchell Austin

The automated prediction algorithm is suggesting a 2-1 defeat for Celtic in this match, which is unsurprising, as we are without a win in our last four matches, with our last away win in the FA Trophy up in Blyth. We have only lost once away, at Gainsborough in the league, with our last three away matches all draws, including the 2-2 draw away at Stockport County. We are long overdue a win at Guiseley and maybe it will be this Saturday.

Whilst Celtic are in Trophy action, there is are other matches going on in the league. Both Nuneaton and Halifax could gain ground on Celtic as they entertain Blyth and Worcester respectively, whilst Hyde could pull fourteen points clear at the top as they entertain Corby Town.

League matches this weekend:
Bishop's Stortford (28pts 15th) v Harrogate Town (26pts 18th)
Eastwood Town (14pts 21st) v Colwyn Bay (31pts 13th)
Halifax Town (42pts 5th) v Worcester City (38pts 7th)
Histon (28pts 14th) v Gloucester City (32pts 12th)
Hyde (59pts 1st) v Corby Town (35pts 9th)
Nuneaton Town (42pts 4th) v Blyth Spartans (13pts 22nd)
Solihull Moors (27pts 16th) v Gainsborough Trinity (41pts 6th)
Workington (27pts 17th) v Altrincham (35pts 8th)

Directions
Distance: 56
Time: 1 hour and 15 minutes

From M62 Junction 20 (A627(M)) head towards Leeds.
At Junction 26, leave and join the M606 towards Bradford.
Stay on the M606 until the end and join the roundabout in the right hand lane.
Turn right on the roundabout (exit 6 of 7) onto the A6177 (Rooley Lane) following signs for Leeds Bradford airport.
After a mile, you will reach a roundabout, go straight across (exit 1 of 4).
Almost immediately you will reach another roundabout, again go straight across (exit 2 of 4) to stay on the A6177 (now called Sticker Lane).
You will go straight across three major junctions, and after about 2 1/2 miles you will reach a crossroads, with a minor road straight on.
Turn right onto the A658 (Harrogate Road) still following signs for the airport.
After 1/2 a mile, you will reach a roundabout, go straight on (exit 3 of 5) to stay on the A658.
Go straight across the crossroads with the A657 and you will come shortly to a roundabout.
Turn left at the roundabout (exit 1 of 4) onto the A65 (New Road) towards Ilkley.
Stay on the New Road for about a mile.
After a small one way system in the centre of Guiseley, it becomes Otley Road.
The ground is about 1/4 of a mile further on, on the right hand side.
There is a free car-park for the club on the postcode LS20 9PD.