HAVING already avenged early-season losses to Gainsborough Trinity and Gloucester City in the past nine days, Guiseley are bidding to make it a hat-trick on Saturday when they welcome Vanarama Conference North leaders Barrow to Nethermoor.

The Lions, who have risen to second, have won seven of their last 12 league matches since successive defeats to Gainsborough and Gloucester in late August.

Guiseley have also drawn four, and the only defeat was at Barrow on Saturday, November 1, since when Mark Bower’s team have won four on the trot including victories at Gainsborough 2-1 and Gloucester City 3-1.

Bower said of the 1-0 defeat at Barrow: “It was a very even match. We were on top in the first half and they were on top in the second. We were nine points behind them then but if we beat them on Saturday, we go top of the pile.

“That is a great incentive for the lads, and if we defend like we have been doing, we have every chance of getting a great result.”

Bower added: “We had over 500 there on Tuesday night when we beat fourth-placed Solihull Moors in what was a great advert for the league, and I would like to think that we will be pushing 1,000 on Saturday.

“Barrow have a good following but there is pressure on them with the investments they have made.”

All teams need a good spine and there doesn’t seem a great deal wrong with Guiseley’s, from Steve Drench in the nets through Shane Killock and Danny Ellis in defence to Adam Boyes and Oli Johnson, who has been given a contract until the end of the season.

Bower said: “Defence starts up front, and Adam Boyes works his socks off for the team, often as a lone striker.

“He is combining well with Oli Johnson. They had some time together at the back end of last season but Oli is seeing more of the ball when we move him wide on the left and make an extra man in midfield.

“I don’t always understand it but we seem to be creating more chances sometimes when we have one man less up there.”

Meanwhile, Guiseley have confirmed that popular forward Danny Forrest has left the club by mutual consent to seek more first-team opportunities.