Mark Bower’s message from Nethermoor this week was ‘Altrincham not Aldershot’ as the clamour began for tickets and information on Guiseley’s upcoming FA Trophy tie with the Shots.

The Lions boss says he, his staff and the players are all looking forward to the tie after reaching the last 16. But that game is in January and there are five games in 15 hectic days to focus on first.

Bower said: “It will be a difficult game but it’s one that everyone will want to be involved in. Aldershot are one of the Conference big boys even though they are struggling at the moment, so it will be a good test for us all.

“We are on a good run and that’s all credit to the players because they have been excellent recently. Because our confidence is high we won’t fear anyone.

“We will try to find out what we can about how they play and what makes them tick so that we can prepare properly. But we can go there with very little pressure on so we have a chance of getting a result.

“I’m hoping that I or someone at the club will get a chance to go and watch Aldershot over the next couple of weeks. But I’ve played Football League and I’m guessing a lot of their players have so I should know something about a few of their players.”

Guiseley travel to the EBB Stadium in Hampshire on Saturday, January 11 so that is on the backburner.

Tomorrow’s visit of Altrincham, next Saturday’s visit of Gainsborough, which is either side of Boxing Day and New Year’s Day derby fixtures against Harrogate Town and the Lions’ trip to Brackley Town on Saturday January 4, are all before the Trophy tie.

That run of games could decide Guiseley’s fate regarding their hunt for a play-off finish. Talk of being three games from Wembley can wait.

Bower said: “It is a very busy time and they are all tough games against sides above us in the league.

“It’s going to be very difficult and we will find out a lot about just where we stand after it. But if we continue to play as I know we can then there is a strong possibility that we can still be in touch with the play-off contenders when we start to focus more on the Aldershot game.”