Town’s preparations for 2014/15 continue
Huddersfield Town will travel to Guiseley Town AFC tonight on the back of three successive pre-season victories.
Mark Robins’ men have scored ten goals in three outings so far courtesy of 3-1 victories over AEL Limassol and Doncaster Rovers and Saturday’s 4-1 win against Portuguese side SC Portimonense.
Robins has confirmed to htafc.com that his squad for tonight’s 7.45pm kick-off features Northern Ireland international duo Oliver Norwood and Martin Paterson, Welsh international Joel Lynch, defender Tommy Smith and striker Harry Bunn.
Development Squad players Phil Billing, Sondre Tronstad, Jake Charles, Matt Crooks and Jordan Sinnott will also feature.
Robins said:
“Guiseley will provide us with a tough test, as we experienced last season, and the squad that has been selected reflects that.
“There is a good mix of First Team and Development Squad players who are all looking to impress and put a marker down ahead of the season.
“Tonight’s match provides us with another opportunity to improve our match fitness and continue the good form that we have shown so far in pre-season. We have played some good football at times and we want to continue in the same vein.”
In two pre-season attempts Town has yet to record a victory at Nethermoor Park. In 2012 former Bradford City striker Danny Forrest netted the only goal of the game, whilst the Terriers had to twice come from behind to earn a 2-2 draw in 2013; Matt Crooks and Jordan Sinnott for Town.
Guiseley is managed by the former Brad ford City and Halifax defender Mark Bower, once voted the Bantams' Player of the Year in 2005.
The Lions’ most prestigious achievement to date was being crowned Northern Premier League Premier Division champions in the 2009/10 season. Guiseley has finish second in the Conference North three years in a row, their highest-ever finish. However, they have been knocked out in the Play-Offs, with this year's 2-1 final defeat against Altrincham in extra time their best effort to date.
The Lions’ team is likely to feature former Town Player of the Year Andy Holdsworth. The versatile defender played over 200 times for the Terriers before moving to Oldham in 2009. He has been at Guiseley since 2011 and is the Club’s current captain.
Former England Under-19 and Leeds United full-back Ben Parker is also a part of the Lions’ squad. He played over 30 times last season after joining from Leeds, where he had made over 50 appearances.
Guiseley’s squad also features former Norwich City striker Oli Johnson. Wakefield-born Johnson joined League 1 Stockport County in 2008 before earning a move to Norwich City for an undisclosed fee. He scored four goals in four starts and was part of the Canaries team that got promoted from League 1. However, in January 2012 his contract was terminated and he was forced to drop down divisions to join Oxford and then York City.
Tickets are available on the gate at Nethermoor: £12 adults; £7 concessions; £4 12-16 year-olds and under-12s free with an adult.
