GUISELEY will be keen to keep up the pressure on the two clubs above them in the Vanarama Conference North table today as they head to Worcester City – who still have designs on a play-off place themselves.
Mark Bower's side consolidated third position with a 4-2 home derby win over Harrogate Town on New Year's Day. That saw them close the gap on second-placed Barrow to a point as the Cumbrians were beaten 2-1 at home by leaders AFC Fylde.
Worcester share a ground with Conference Premier neighbours Kidderminster Harriers, so Aggborough is the venue for today's clash.
City's progress was stalled on Thursday when they were held to a goalless draw by fellow mid-table midlands outfit Hednesford Town.
Yet Worcester are still on a high. They had a kind run of fixtures in November and December but continued climbing up the league at the same time as having some high-profile cup ties. They are also in the spotlight after a 'rabona' goal by Paul Geddes.
Geddes' strike in an FA Trophy tie against then leaders Barrow was short-listed by Sky Sports as one of the best goals of 2014. It came second in a poll run by the satellite broadcaster on New Year's Eve, ahead of strikes by Wayne Rooney, Gareth Bale and Andy Carroll.
Worcester were beaten by FC Halifax Town in the next round of the Trophy but the club also enjoyed a long run in the FA Cup. They faced League One outfit Scunthorpe United in the second round and were only knocked out by their higher-ranked opponents on penalties after a replay finished all square.
It was a marathon affair which the Iron won 14-13, setting a new record for FA Cup penalty shoot-outs.
It has been a good run for Worcester and Carl Heeney was named manager of the month in November, with Geddes picking up the players' accolade.
Days after the defeat to Scunthorpe, which was at Aggborough in front of a sell-out crowd of 4,339 and shown live on BT Sport, young Worcester defender George Williams was signed by Scunthorpe's divisional rivals Barnsley.
Guiseley boss Bower said: "Worcester have certainly had an interesting few weeks, with their FA Cup exploits and a really good run in the league as well, so it's obviously going to be a tough fixture this weekend.
"We are thin at the minute as well. We had three teenagers on the bench for the Harrogate game and lost Wayne Brooksby with a hamstring injury.
"Wayne is extremely doubtful for this game and we're not in the position to bring fresh faces in.
"But the lads will put in a determined and committed show. They are a good set of lads and the performance against Harrogate epitomised what we are all about."
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