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NPL preview | Relegation battle takes centre stage as bottom six face off

There are currently six points separating 16th from 21st in the NPL Premier Division, and all six sides find themselves in action against each other this Saturday.

Workington, the side who prop up the table, have occupied bottom spot since mid-November, but can finally climb off it with a win over Stocksbridge Park Steels at Borough Park.

Both sides come into this one in the relegation zone, with Park Steels knowing that a win could see them climb out of danger.

As for Billy Barr’s side, while a third win in four games likely won’t see them out of the drop zone, barring a large goal difference swing, it could see them draw level with the sides directly outside.

Morpeth Town are also occupants of a place in the relegation zone, but are just three points behind their opponents this weekend, with Hyde United making the trip to Craik Park.

The Highwaymen have just one win in nine, as their winless run extended to six in midweek at Cleethorpes Town, whereas Hyde have just one win since they beat Morpeth at the Project Solar Stadium in November.

A win for Michael Clegg’s side would put a healthy buffer between themselves and their hosts, while a Morpeth victory would pull them closer to safety.

And Rushall Olympic have a huge opportunity to increase their gap to the drop zone to as many as eight points this weekend when they travel to Prescot Cables.

Cables ended their four-game losing run at Hyde last weekend, and are looking to end a six-game winless run to draw level with the Pics and remove any danger of dropping into the relegation zone this weekend.

Towards the top of the table, league leaders Hebburn Town travel to Warrington Town.

The Hornets put eight past the Yellows when the two sides met in the north-east in November, which was the performance that kick-started the run which has seen them reach the summit.

However, the Yellows have been beaten just twice at the Cal.Delivery Stadium this season in the league, so they will be a tough team to crack, especially following back-to-back wins.

Both Hednesford Town and FC United of Manchester return home in the bid to keep pace and perhaps even climb to the top if Hebburn slip up.

First, Hednesford welcome Guiseley to Keys Park, searching for their third win in a row.

Ian Richards’ side are sat 12th, with their season slowly starting to peter out, but they’ll be aware that they can’t rest on their laurels just yet, with nine points separating them from danger.

And FC United welcome an out-of-sorts Bamber Bridge side to Broadhurst Park, also looking for a third consecutive win to extend their current unbeaten run to seven.

The Brig are currently winless in five - a run which has seen their hopes for a top-five finish halted massively. However, with Gainsborough Trinity not in action this weekend, they could close the gap to just two points with what would be a big away win.

Also looking to take advantage of Russ Wilcox’s side not in action are Stockton Town, who could jump up into the top five with a return to winning ways at Ilkeston Town.

Ilkeston come into this one with two wins in their last three, including a 3-2 victory over Hebburn last time out. Back-to-back wins for the first time since October would see them move six points behind the Anchors.

And Lancaster City could close the gap between themselves and Gainsborough to one point if they can win at Whitby Town.

Jimmy Marshall’s side have alternated between wins and losses in their last five games, and after defeat against Warrington Town last time out, they’ll be looking to get back to winning ways once more.

As for Whitby, their four-game unbeaten run has put a seven-point buffer between themselves and the drop, but they know that some of the sides below them will pick up points this weekend.

Extending the unbeaten run to five would be a useful way to keep those at arm's length.

Elsewhere, Warrington Rylands can pull away from Gainsborough and maintain their slim title hopes with a return to winning ways at Leek Town.

Rylands fell to a rare home defeat last weekend against Cleethorpes, but they weren’t punished by the sides directly below, who also lost. Having played more games than anyone, Neil Reynolds’ side will be looking to maintain or even build on their points barrier.

Leek’s big win at Ashton United last weekend saw them cross the 40-point mark, and they’ll have eyes on perhaps even climbing into the top 10 with back-to-back wins.

And Cleethorpes jumped into the top 10 with their two wins over the past week, and they’re searching for three in a row for the first time this season when they welcome Ashton to the HPS Plant Hire Stadium.

Just one point separates the two sides coming into this one, and a win for either would all but confirm their safety in the Premier Division this season.

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

Fixtures - Saturday 14 March