Pressure off Guiseley in non-league play-off final, says Kittrick

Guiseley, who won the Unibond Premier Division last season, started the season as one of the favourites for relegation.

But the Lions proved their doubters wrong by recording the highest placing in the club’s 101-year history when they finished fifth and qualified for the play-offs, and Kittrick said they are going into the game full of confidence.

“We’ve got momentum and all the lads are up for the game,” he said. “We’re just going to go and play football like we have everywhere we’ve been. The emphasis is on them to break us down.

“They’re at home and they’ll have that added pressure. If things don’t go their way for the first 20 minutes then the crowd might get frustrated and that’ll benefit us.

“They’re a good side but the form book and the odds will go out the window for this game. It’s going to be about who’s mentally strong enough.”

The final will be played at New Bucks Head, Telford’s home ground, because the club finished second in the league.

“My only concern is if the referee is going to be strong enough to handle the home crowd,” said Kittrick. “And then you’ve got people who’ve worked behind the scenes at Telford all season and won’t be able to see the game because they’ll still be working.”

“They’ve earned second place but we have a very good away record. We’ll try to entertain as always and I’m sure it’ll be a great advertisement for non-league football.”

Guiseley, who beat Boston United in the semi-final on penalties, will go into the top tier of non-league football for the first time if they win, and Kittrick said it has been an incredible season.

“We set out not to get relegated. We did really well in all the cup competitions, won the county cup and now we’re in the play-off final.

“I’m told it’s our 58th game and we’ve only lost nine so it’s a fantastic season whatever happens on Sunday.”

Telford, who finished nine points ahead of the Lions in the league, will have to deal with Guiseley’s 31-goal striker, James Walshaw, who is fit after illness, and his 17-goal strike partner, Joe O’Neill, who has recovered from an ankle injury.

Darryn Stamp is on standby for a trip to the hospital with his wife due to give birth at any time.