Guiseley AFC look forward to their biggest pre-season challenge tonight, Thursday, when they take on a Leeds United X1 at Nethermoor Park (7.30 pm).

Leeds United legend Eddie Gray will manage the Leeds side which is expected to be mainly made up of second and youth team players with the odd well-known name thrown in.

The Leeds youngsters are however worthy of a look as a number of them have figured recently in international football.

Guiseley for their part are expected to be without two of their former Leeds United players - Andy Williams has a long term back problem and skipper Neil Parsley damaged knee ligaments in Monday's 1-1 draw with York City.

One former Leeds man who will be in the line-up however is manager Bobby Davison who scored Guiseley's goal against York on Monday.

After the debacle of having Rotherham refuse to play on their pitch Guisley have worked hard to put matters right and there were no complaints after the York game.

Manager Davison has used many players in the pre-season build up so it has been difficult to judge what will be his ideal line-up and with some players away on holiday - such as new signing Neil Holmes, the fomer Everton junior - things are not settled yet.

As well as Parsley picking up an injury in Monday's game former Manchester City youth player Ben Gallagher played virtually all of the second-half with a badly gashed foot.

Although former Huddersfield Town defender Simon Trevitt has proved a wise signing in defence Guiseley still seem to lack enough punch up front and enough quality in midfield.

With Parsley and Williams out Davison will be looking to St Kitt's international Des Hazel to provide the guiding hand in midfield.

Chances have been given to a number of youngsters to impress in the string of pre-season games and one who has shone is utility defender Simon Phillips.

The Drighlington-based player has figured strongly in the centre of defence or at either right or left back and he has been one of the plusses.

The club has a string of young strikers who score freely in the reserves but the UniBond League is a different kettle of fish and many have struggled to make an impact on the step up but the chance is there with Davison still seeking his ideal partner since Neil Matthews left for Leigh.

Guiseley lost 1-0 in a friendly at Farsley Celtic when it was difficult to get any real flow with the number of changes made.

Farsley included a handful of local youngsters including Yeadon's 18 year-old midfielder Ben Thackwray, Horsforth's former England Schools left-back Richard Ward and Yeadon central defender Alastair Long.

It was however a former Guiseley player - Robbie Whellans - who took advantage of a Peter Atkinson slip to give the Throstle Nest side victory.

Guiseley manager Bobby Davison used 18 players in the game partnering himself with Simon Parke in the first-half.

It was Parke who brought a good save from the 'keeper and then he hit the side netting after a good move.

A right wing strike from Matt Flanagan flashed across the face of the goal and it took 23 minutes for Farsley to get a shot in but Steve Dickinson blocked well.

In the 39th minute Atkinson made his slip and the gleeful Whellans - always delighted to put one over his old club - netted an easy goal.

In the second-half Guiseley introduced Des Hazel, Julian Wilkes, Ben Gallagher and Simon Phillips and as the half progressed Andy Carlton and David Cook joined the fray. Wilkes had a couple of scoring opportunities while Cook showed he will be one to watch with some good skills.

Cook again impressed in the 1-1 draw with York City in which Bobby Davison opened the scoring after a Julian Wilkes shot was blocked.

Gallagher however conceded a penalty which former Bradford City striker Neil Tolson converted. Simon Phillips had another good game in defence while Colin Hunter had some strong runs but again the end product was missing.

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