NPL preview | Mark Beesley’s clash with former club headlines packed weekend schedule

Reds manager Mark Beesley is once again reunited with his former club, as is new signing Jay Harris following his departure from the club at the end of last season. 

The experienced midfielder could make his debut against the Yellows, having previously enjoyed a successful five-year spell at Cantilever Park. 

Paul Carden’s men come into the contest as favourites, as far as the league table suggests. The Yellows have picked up 17 points from eight fixtures and sit fourth in the table, while the hosts are bottom and remain the only side without a league win.

Looking to cement their position in top spot, Cleethorpes Town travel to an Ashton United outfit looking to turn a corner after going four league games without a win. 

Steve Cunnigham’s side secured a brilliant 5-2 victory over Whitby Town in the FA Cup but have failed to win any of their previous four league games, including back-to-back defeats. 

The Robins currently occupy a mid-table position in 12th, while Craig Rouse’s Owls will be keen to banish the demons of a surprising 2-1 home defeat to Newcastle Town in the FA Cup last weekend and pick up on a run of form in the league which saw boss Rouse crowned Northern Premier League Manager of the Month for August.

Another side looking to respond to cup disappointment are second-placed Avro, who can take great pride in an impressive start to life at Step 3. 

The Ro travel to Gainsborough Trinity with six wins from their first eight, including a remarkable 4-3 comeback victory over FC United last time out. 

Nonetheless, the eighth-placed Holy Blues will provide a stern test at the KAL Group Stadium - despite successive home defeats to Bury and leaders Cleethorpes.

The aforementioned Bury hosts fellow Step 3 newcomers Emley this Saturday. 

Anthony Johnson’s Shakers sit sixth in the table but have lost three of their last five league games. 

Their West Yorkshire opponents have experienced a downturn in results themselves, failing to win any of their last four in the league - drawing three in a row before suffering a 4-0 defeat at the hands of local rivals Guiseley over the August Bank Holiday.

Over at Green Lane, Redcar Athletic host a struggling Leek Town as the Steelmen look to extend their status as the only unbeaten side in the division. 

Carl Jarrett’s men are sitting in third with five wins and three draws so far, only a point adrift of Avro and Cleethorpes at the summit. It is an incredible feat for the Steelmen, who are playing their first-ever season at this level. 

As for Josh Brehaut’s Blues, they languish just above the relegation zone in 18th. 

The Staffordshire side have a solitary win against Bamber Bridge thus far; however, they have been unlucky to end up on the wrong side of some tight matches, with all fourth of their defeats in the league coming by just the one goal. 

One major positive for the Blues is the form of attacker Jack Griffiths, who has netted five times in their last four league games.

Another side continuing to fire are fifth-placed Guiseley, who welcome visitors Quorn to Nethermoor. 

The hosts come into Saturday’s clash brimming with confidence after four league wins in their last five, though Ian Richards’ men will be conscious of Quorn’s threat. 

The Methodists remain inside the drop zone on goal difference, but a maiden league win of the season against Ilkeston Town, backed up by an FA Cup triumph against local rivals Shepshed Dynamo, have illustrated strong signs of improvement.

Following that Quorn defeat, Ilkeston sit in 17th as they prepare to travel to in-form Workington. 

Tris Whitman’s side have failed to win since August 11 - a concerning winless run that stands at eight games across all competitions.

It has been a tale of completely contrasting fortunes for their opponents, who have climbed to ninth in the table after four successive league victories. 

Billy Barr’s men have built up a head of steam despite failing to win any of their opening three league games. Striker Luke Hunter has been the standout, scoring five times in eight league appearances and adding another to his tally in the cup last time out.

Bidding to bounce back from a humbling 3-0 defeat to Workington on Matchday 8, 15th-placed Lancaster City return to the Giant Axe to take on Curzon Ashton.

The Nash were dumped out of the FA Cup by Bradford (Park Avenue) on Saturday. However, their recent league results have been exemplary, and Adam Barton’s side have climbed to seventh after three consecutive wins in the NPL Premier Division, defeating Warrington Town and Cleethorpes away from home before seeing off Ashton United on Bank Holiday Monday. 

The Dolly Blues appeared to be building some strong momentum of their own with impressive triumphs at Bury and Guiseley, though their poor performance against Workington has somewhat stalled their progression.

On their return to NPL football, Alfreton Town sit 10th after an inconsistent start. 

The Derbyshire side travel to Bamber Bridge looking for a fifth win of the campaign, while Jamie Milligan’s side are searching for only their second. 

A horror start for 20th-placed Brig only got worse on Saturday as Trafford - two divisions below in the pyramid - dumped them out of the FA Cup with a 3-1 victory at Irongate. 

That being said, the hosts can take solace in Alfreton’s poor away record. Jake Buxton’s side beat Whitby Town away last time out, yet lost all three previous trips and scored just once in that time.

With four defeats in a row, shipping 21 goals in the process, Whitby Town travel to Hyde United needing to resolve serious defensive problems. 

A sustained run of poor form leaves Lee Bullock’s men in 16th, only three points adrift of the drop zone. 

Hyde haven’t exactly set the world alight themselves, but a crucial 2-1 victory over local rivals Bury last time out in the league propelled them to 13th. 

Loanee forward Max McCarthy has been a revelation since his arrival from Radcliffe, scoring in his first two games against Bamber Bridge and Bury.

Finally, at the Quickline Logistics Arena, Warrington Rylands play again at home bidding for three successive wins. 

The in-form Blues face second-bottom Stockton Town, in a clash between two of last season’s play-off contenders.

Yet to hit the ground running, Stockton have followed up their only win of the campaign with three successive league defeats, conceding 10 goals in the process. A maiden away triumph here could lift them out of the relegation zone, providing other results go in their favour. 

All games will kick off at 3pm, unless stated otherwise.

Fixtures - Saturday 12 September

• Ashton United vs Cleethorpes Town 
• Bamber Bridge vs Alfreton Town 
• Bury vs Emley
• FC United of Manchester vs Warrington Town 
• Gainsborough Trinity vs Avro 
• Guiseley vs Quorn
• Hyde United vs Whitby Town 
• Lancaster City vs Curzon Ashton
• Redcar Athletic vs Leek Town 
• Warrington Rylands vs Stockton Town
• Workington vs Ilkeston Town

Check out the latest fixtures and results from across the NPL East Division, NPL Midlands Division and NPL West Division.