Whitley make one of their longest league trips of the season this weekend when they travel to Guisborough Town. The Priorymen are currently one place below Whitley in the league table with three fewer points.
One of the most memorable games between the sides took place at Guisborough exactly 17 years ago to the day, in Andy Gowens’ previous time as manager. A hard fought FA Vase 2nd Round tie ended 2-2 after extra time with Ian Chandler and Andy Dugdale scoring Whitley’s goals. Match report. After a 2-0 victory in the replay, they went on to win the FA Vase for the first time, defeating Tiptree United in the Final at Villa Park.
Since Guisborough returned to the First Division in 2011, honours have been even in games between the sides at the King George V Ground, both having won three times with one match drawn. The games have usually been closely contested with no more than a single goal separating the sides in their last four meetings.
Whitley have been inconsistent over the past month and they will be hoping to return to the form that saw them crush high flying Hebburn Town 4-1 and more recently knock neighbours North Shields out of the League Cup. Guisborough have narrowly lost their last two league games but these were against top three sides Dunston and Consett.
One Bay player who will definitely miss the game is defender Luke Taylor who is suspended.
