MARK Bower is hoping his Guiseley side can make a big impression on the FA Trophy competition and believes North Ferriby’s success earlier this year can act as inspiration.

The National League North side defeated Wrexham in the final and the Lions boss would love his team to go all the way in the competition.

As the Lions prepare for a tricky first round assignment away to 2003 winners Bower added: Burscough on Saturday, Bower said: “ The FA Trophy is very important and we want to go a long way. You only have to look at last season when North Ferriby went all the way to Wembley and won the thing. What a fantastic achievement that was.

“For a club like ourselves, who have played over half our league fixtures with no question of fixture congestion, we want to go as far as we can. I cannot see why not.

“Last season might have done us a favour being out of the competition early because of the promotion push and the injuries we had, but this season it is certainly something where we want to be progressing and going a long way.”

The Lions, who were exempt to the first round stage following their promotion to the National League, know they need to approach the match in the right frame of mind.

“We will go as favourites to win and need to deal properly with that pressure, deal with the conditions and deal with the opposition.

“You see in cup competitions sides from higher leagues going out to sides from lower leagues. It will happen this week and we need to make sure it is not us.”

Bower, who ran the rule over their opponents when they beat Marine 2-1 on Tuesday, has suggested he might rest a couple of players.

“It’s a real opportunity for one or two changes,” Bower said. But he warned: “There won’t be wholesale changes. We may have to approach it differently because playing it through the middle of the park may not be the best way to go.”

Guiseley have signed midfieldman Oliver Norburn until the end of the season. He has been a regular since joining up with the club last month.