GUISELEY joint-manager Russ O'Neill feels the 2020/21 season is going to be one of the oddest seasons he has ever experienced in football.

Last week, the government announced that a financial package of around £10 million has been provided to the National League to ensure matches could be played behind closed doors for the first three months of the campaign.

However, O'Neill points out another problem that will cause difficulties.

Neighbours Bradford (Park Avenue) were forced into postponing their fixture at Hereford due to one of their players testing positive for coronavirus.

He said: "It is a worry. It is going to be one of those seasons.

"Everyone wanted to get the season started as it is a huge part of everybody’s community, but we have to accept that these are difficult times.

"It will be a rollercoaster and games will get called off. It will be an up and down season.

"There is going to be Covid cases and fixtures called off, and that will breath a different problem in itself. "

The Lions did get their competitive schedule underway against lower league Atherton Collieries in the FA Cup second qualifying round.

A Kaine Felix double set them on their way to a 4-0 win and create a tie with Matlock Town in the next round.

O'Neill is keen to do well in this year's competition and try repeat the same level of success that his team endured in 2018.

He added: "There is a story told in the FA Cup every year by a player or a club.

"We had our story a couple of years ago, beating Cambridge and drawing Fleetwood in the second round (which ended in a narrow 2-1 defeat).

"We will be looking to try go on another run which would be really enjoyable and does wonders for the dressing room.

"Matlock will be a tough physical team.

"They have had some strong results (this season) so we are expecting a real tough test."

Guiseley also began their Vanarama National League campaign with a convincing 4-0 victory over Blyth Spartans.

There were four different goalscorers on the night as Lebrun Mbeka, captain Hamza Bencherif, Felix and Mark Howarth all jumped on the scoresheet in the mauling.

The Lions boss wants to start making Nethermoor a fortress after enjoying most of his side's wins on the road last term.

He said: "It is a big thing for us to try and make our home form as good as we were away last season.

"Eight goals and a couple of clean sheets is a great start to try and address that."

A trip to promotion chasing Boston United is next for Guiseley and O'Neill believes tests do come much tougher than this.

He said: "Boston have recruited two players for each position and there is big expectations after last season (where they reached the playoff final).

"We have told our players that you will be coming up against players who are on double, treble, even four times more salary.

"It is not a level playing field at this level of football so we have to try bridge the gap the best we can.

"We will look forward to that game against Boston, knowing that they are the favourites.

"It will be a big test to see how we can handle the opposition and hopefully we will come out with another win."