NPL Match Preview: Guiseley vs South Shields

An eighth win in 10 games is the target for South Shields on Saturday - but they are in for a tough test at another of the league's in-form sides, Guiseley (3pm kick-off).

No teams in the Pitching In Northern Premier League have collected more points than Shields (13) and Guiseley (12) over the last five matches.

Those runs of form have seen the Mariners establish a five-point lead at the top and Guiseley move to within four points of a play-off position, so there is much to play for at Nethermoor Park.

Guiseley were 2-0 winners at Whitby Town in midweek while Shields' last action saw them beat Marine 2-1 last Saturday.

The reverse fixture between the sides ended in a 2-1 victory for the Mariners in September, with a stoppage time goal from Mackenzie Heaney settling a tight encounter.

Manager's views

Shields manager Kevin Phillips said: "Away matches are never easy, but we’ve got to go there with the belief that we can win the match.

"We can’t be complacent, and know they’re a good team who will come at us.

"Every team wants to take points from us and stop our winning run, so we’re prepared for that.

"If we can tidy up in the final third and defend the way we have defended most of the season so far, we can certainly get a result there.”

With the second half of the season now underway, the stakes are increasing as the Mariners aim to put more space between themselves and the chasing pack.

Phillips insists the route to success is through Shields concentrating on themselves.

He added: “There are 20 games to go and the message after the game last week was not to get carried away.

“I tend not to look at the other results because football has a habit of biting you on the backside, but we’re in a really good place.

“We can still get better at what we do, and we need to be relentless on the training ground and matchdays.”

Team news

Shields have an almost fully-fit squad to choose from, but are expected to be without midfielder Michael Woods (eye).

Information for supporters

Kick-off at Nethermoor Park - which has a post code of LS20 8BT - is at 3pm and admission prices are £12 for adults, £8 for students and over-65s, £5 for under-18s and £1 for under-11s.

Payment at the turnstiles is by cash only, but tickets can be purchased in advance by clicking here.

The two sets of supporters will be segregated, and Shields fans have been allocated the Railway End and JM Glendinning seated stand, with entry via turnstiles 5-8.

The main car park – allowing for quick access and exit – is located on Netherfield Road, adjacent to a footbridge leading to the Railway End turnstiles.

There are two small car parks at the Otley Road End of the ground but they are usually filled by players, officials and staff well before kick-off.

Fans are asked not to park on Ings Crescent, as it a no parking zone and the ground's ambulance entry point.

Supporters unable to make it to the game can listen to live commentary by clicking here.

Should a pitch inspection be required, information will be posted on the club's social media channels and website.