Pitchero Non League

Kevin Holsgrove

The bustling target man, unavailable for tonight’s with Harrogate Town at Nethermoor due to suspension, will offer “something different”, according to Lions boss Steve Kittrick, who is calling on his troops to hit back this evening after a double whammy of defeats.

Holsgrove is currently banned after receiving a straight red card after kicking out at a defender in Bay’s 3-1 loss against Stalybridge Celtic at the end of August and will also be ineligible for Guiseley’s weekend FA Cup trip to Bamber Bridge – but he will be available for the clash at Oxford City on Saturday week.

Bay player-boss Jon Newby has labelled the departure of Holsgrove as a “massive blow”, with Kittrick hoping their loss proves to be Guiseley’s gain.

The striker has hit three goals for the Seagulls this term, firing the winner in a 1-0 victory against FC Halifax Town at The Shay last month and also finding the net in a narrow 2-1 reverse at Chester FC.

Kittrick, who welcomes back Rhys Mennell and Jack Rea into his squad for the derby with Harrogate, said: “Kevin has a good pedigree and knows this league. He’s 24 and a big, strong lad who offers us something different to what we have.

“He’s direct and strong and a good player and with him being available, we thought we’d go for him.

“Kevin is another one who wants to achieve his ambitions and at 24 is the future of this club. He’s been at Hyde and Drolysden and knows what this league is about very well.”

The Lions are licking their wounds after successive defeats against Bishop’s Stortford and Chester, with Saturday’s 2-1 reverse to the former, courtesy of a stoppage-time winner from Matt Johnson, leaving Kittrick particularly sore.

He said: “I wasn’t happy with the way we defended for the last goal. We defended like 13-year-olds. It wasn’t good enough.

“I would have been happy with a point for we should have been smarter in the 18-yard box.

“It was a weird experience as I wanted to say something. But by the time I was going to say it, the ball had been thrown and headed in and you could see it was going to happen – it was so frustrating.

“I don’t think there was too much wrong with Saturday, but we’re just not quite at it at the moment.

“One or two players were off it, but we’ll get it right.”

looking at the bigger picture, Kittrick insists he remains happy with Guiseley’s start to the campaign, while being mindful that leaders Brackley Town are currently six points clear of them – a gap which, while hardly insurmountable, could do without it increasing much more.

Yet despite successive losses, Kittrick admits he is taking heart from this time last year when after suffering dual defeats, his troops went on a ten-match unbeaten run in the league for the rest of the calendar year.

Kittrick, who has confirmed that Nicky Boshell should return to the fray this weekend, said: “I remember at around the same time last year, we got beaten by Gainsborough Trinity and by Halifax at home, but we managed to bounce back and get on with it.”

Tags: News | Guiseley

• Blue Square Bet
• Blue Square Premier
  • + Yussuf Becomes Another New Imp Recruit
  • + Boro Keen To Bring Moult Back
  • + Telford Bag Highly-Rated Winger
  • + Bluebirds Pick Up Experienced Keeper
  • + Cartwright`s Nuneaton Days Look Over
  • + Nolan Makes Imps Switch
  • + Walker`s Contract Not Renewed by Luton
  • + Regan Becomes a Permanent Lamb
  • + Donaldson Makes U`s Switch
  • + Two More Pen Imps Deals
  • + Minstermen Agree Bowman Deal
  • + Lambs Win Race for Baker
• Blue Square North
  • + Wilson Joins Ferriby
  • + Lowe Remains a Shayman - Hogan Departs
  • + Chester Release Williams
  • + Watmore Gets Dream Sunderland Move
  • + Now Highly-Rated Winger Joins Chester
• Blue Square South
  • + Spitfires Duo Join Sutton
  • + Holdsworth Named Clarets Boss
  • + Aldred Agrees Boro Deal