Guiseley's FA Trophy game in doubt (From Wharfedale Observer)

Guiseley's FA Trophy game in doubt

10:00am Thursday 7th January 2010

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GUISELEY’S FA Trophy tie at Blyth Spartans Croft Park on Saturday is in serious doubt due to the continued snow and ice.

In the event that the second round tie does not go ahead on Saturday a succession of dates have been agreed as a contingency.

The first will be another attempt on Tuesday, January 12, at 7.45pm; with the second attempt on Thursday, January 14, again at 7.45pm and if necessary a third attempt would be made on Saturday, January 16 with a 3pm kick-off.

Guiseley manager Steve Kittrick is obviously not enamoured with travelling to Blyth for a mid-week clash.

He said: “It is rubbish to have to go up there in mid-week for such an important game. The lads will all have to leave work early to get off on time and we would be very late back. I would much prefer it if the game was just moved to the Saturday.”

Blyth are counting the cost of their postponed games, particularly the scheduled New Year’s Day home game with Workington.

With no Premier League, Football League or local Northern League games scheduled for that day Blyth would have been centre stage. However, heavy snow wiped out the game, with Blyth unable to cash in what could have been a sum approaching five figures.

The Spartans’ last five games, four of them at Croft Park, have been postponed and all but one has been due to the weather.

Like many clubs, Blyth are suffering cash-flow problems, but their predicament is far less of a concern than for many others in non-league football.

“Because we have money in the bank we can use this to offset the current problems caused by playing no football and therefore generating no match income,” said chairman Tony Platten.

“We are one of the few clubs in a healthy position and we will recoup most of the money when the games are re-arranged, but you never want to lose your festive games.”

Blyth have not played since the 2-0 Trophy win over Ilkeston Town on December 12 - their last home game in the Conference was on November 21.

Guiseley are chomping at the bit for some action and their new signing striker Stuart Rudd has yet to make his debut following the call off of games at Bradford Park Avenue and Matlock Town and the home game with Marine. Even if the FA Trophy tie goes ahead he will still be left kicking his heels as he is cup tied.

Of his new signing Kittrick said: “We are looking forward to getting him on the pitch in a Guiseley shirt. He will be a real asset to the club.”

Guiseley last played on December 15 so it is hardly ideal preparation to go into such an important game as an FA Trophy tie but their opponents have fared little better.

The Guiseley players have managed to keep their spirits up with some training in the snow, improvising with fun in the snow on small sledges and medecine balls on the snow covered 3G pitch at Nethermoor.

Kittrick said: “Despite the snow and bad weather we have missed only one training session but we have not been able to do any ball work, it has been like being back in pre-season training. The only thing is everyone is in the same boat.

“We are now seven or eight games behind in the league and there is going to be a real fixture pile up which then makes it difficult not only for the players but also for the supporters having to pay out to watch a lot of games in quick succession but I understand our directors are looking at some kind of special reduction ticket for our regulars.

“All clubs are suffering from a loss of income at the moment and with players on contract money has to be found. A number of managers from other clubs have been ringing round to see if clubs are still paying their players, it is getting a serious situation for some.”

The extended rest has meant that defender Jerome Fitzgerald is now likely to be back to fitness after sustaining cracked ribs in the West Riding County Cup tie at Ossett Town on the first day of December.

Manager Steve Kittrick said: “The medical people said he would be out for four to six weeks at the time. Initially he couldn’t train but he has joined in recently. We now have a clean bill of health apart form our long term injured right-back Anthony Lloyd.”

Lloyd sustained devastating career-threatening injuries at Kendal Town but the popular player has been a regular around the club on his crutches.

Guiseley Reserves were due to play a Lancashire League game against Ossett Albion in midweek but with Nethermoor Park under snow that game was off and there has to be serious doubts about Saturday’s scheduled home game against Yorkshire Amateurs.

The Reserves haven’t played since December 12, their Wharfedale FA Challenge Cup semi-final at Otley Town falling victim to the bad weather.

That is rescheduled for Saturday, January 16, with a 1.30pm kick-off but with the cold snap looking set in even that game could be in doubt.

First team games scheduled for the rest of January are: 16th Guiseley v Whitby Town League 3pm 23rd Worksop Town v Guiseley League 3pm 26th Guiseley v Buxton League 7:45pm 30th Guiseley v Burscough League 3pm

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