MARK Bower set his players an initial target of winning their first three matches this season in Vanarama Conference North.

After a 1-0 victory at Leamington last Saturday and a 3-0 triumph at home to Stockport County on Tuesday night, the table-topping Lions have another match at Nethermoor this weekend against Worcester City.

However, the Dragons, who have started the campaign with a couple of draws, were the last team to win a league match at Guiseley way back in February.

Since that 1-0 setback, though, the Lions have won 12 straight at Nethermoor – 11 last season, including a play-off victory over North Ferriby United, and the Stockport County success.

Nevertheless, Bower is steeling his team for a stiff test, saying: "Worcester are a very solid outfit and this will definitely be the toughest of the three."

Guiseley's early-season victories are in stark contrast to the mood around the club 11 days ago.

The Lions had drawn their final pre-season friendly 0-0 at Farsley AFC but, more importantly, the visitors had just lost their centre backs Danny Hall (broken tibula) and Danny Lowe (groin).

Since then, Danny Ellis and Ben Parker have helped the Guiseley defence to keep two clean sheets, they are top of the fledgling table on alphabetical order from North Ferriby and on goal difference from Boston United, and Nethermoor is a much happier place.

"They have played together at the back before, which is why I moved Ben across, and have done well, but they are different types of centre halves," said Bower, who knows all about featuring in the middle of the defence.

"Danny is more aggressive and likes to head the ball, while Ben sweeps up behind, is quick and reads the game well.

"As things stand at the moment, with Danny Lowe being back in a few weeks and Alex McQuade signed as cover, we will not be adding to our squad as we have enough cover in all positions.

"Danny Ellis wasn't as fit as I would have liked him to be in pre-season but maybe a holiday in the Caribbean is how we should all prepare!"