MARK Bower is hoping that Guiseley do not fall victim to ‘new-manager syndrome’ on Saturday.

The Lions, who are fourth in Vanarama Conference North, are at home to Tamworth, who are a lowly 19th and have just appointed former Wrexham boss Andy Morrell as player-manager.

Bower, who lost his first five games in charge last season and only won his first match at the seventh attempt, knows there is always the chance that the visitors will play above themselves in a bid to impress the experienced 38-year-old Doncaster-born striker.

He said: “Hopefully it will take him as long to get going in the league as it did me!”

Guiseley didn’t get any serious injuries in their 1-0 FA Cup victory at Droylsden last Saturday but Bower admitted: “Adam Boyes, Ryan Toulson, Gavin Rothery and Danny Lowe all battled through after picking up knocks, so we will assess them before selecting the team.”

The cup tie at the promotion-seeking Bloods, from Evo-Stik Division One North, proved as difficult as Bower expected.

He confessed: “You would expect a team from two divisions below to be very physical but they played it on the floor from the keeper and the centre back. However, we got in the hat for the next round, which was the important thing.

“The turning point was Steve Drench’s penalty save, and for that we have to thank our former keeper Jacob Giles, who is at Brighouse Town.

“Their penalty taker (Ciaran Kilheeney) took one against Brighouse on Saturday, September 20 and Gilo was in the nets, and he told us which side he hit it, and he put it to the same side against us, and then we went down the other end and scored.”

The victory has earned Guiseley a home tie in the third qualifying round next Saturday against another Evo-Stik side, Halesowen Town.

The Lions will be hoping that playing at Nethermoor will give them the edge as they bid to move to within one win of the first round proper where the Football League teams come in.

The Lions, who hosted FC Halifax Town in a first-round West Riding County Cup tie, have two important league fixtures before they can focus on the FA Cup.

The home clash with Tamworth is followed by Tuesday’s trip to familiar foes Stalybridge Celtic, who are two places above the midlanders.