NPL preview | Saturday 11 January

League leaders Macclesfield were beaten in midweek by Ashton United and will be looking to bounce back when they host FC United of Manchester.

Mark Beesley’s side were also in action in midweek, as they were denied points late against Warrington Rylands. They’ll be hoping to pick up to all three this time around, after the Silkmen beat them 2-1 earlier in the season.

Guiseley will be looking to capitalise on more dropped points by the runaway leaders when they travel to Morpeth Town.

The two played out an entertaining 3-3 draw at Nethermoor in September.

The visiting Lions will be looking to pick up a fourth straight win, which would stretch their unbeaten league run to 16 games.

Third-placed Worksop Town are in action against a Mickleover side buoyed by a vital midweek win over fellow strugglers Basford United.

A second straight win for Gareth Holmes’ side could see them climb out of the bottom four, whilst Worksop are aiming to bounce back after defeat to Macclesfield last time out.

Ilkeston Town are on their travels, to a Hyde United side who are desperate to find some good form after three draws and three defeats in their last six.

A win for the Tigers will see the gap between the two teams cut to just five points, as Nicky Spooner’s side look to stay within touching distance of the play-off race.

Elsewhere, the top two form sides over the past six games go head-to-head when Matlock Town welcome Ashton to the Proctor Cars Stadium.

Ashton ran out 3-2 winners in September in Ryan Cresswell’s first game in charge, but the Gladiators have shown real improvement over recent months.

Matlock are without defeat in six, whilst Ashton have won six of their last eight, including a late win over Macclesfield on Tuesday.

Towards the foot of the table, Blyth Spartans will look to pick up just their third win of the season when they host Stockton Town.

The Anchors have been busy with the FA Trophy fourth round in midweek, and Michael Connor will be keen to take advantage of a 10-day break since their last fixture and pick up his first win in charge.

Basford United are looking to halt a seven-game losing run when they host Gainsborough Trinity.

The Holy Blues have lost three straight matches in the league, but come into this one off the back of a famous win against National League table-toppers York City in the fourth round of the FA Trophy.

A win for Basford will see them go level on points with their opponents, albeit having played six games more than Russ Wilcox’s side.

A run of four draws and four defeats in the last eight games has seen Prescot Cables drop into the bottom four. They’ll be eager to climb back up the table when they travel to Lancaster City.

The Dolly Blues have drawn eight of their 13 league games at the Giant Axe this season, last winning at home in early November when they toppled Ilkeston in a 4-3 thriller.

Meanwhile, Bamber Bridge and Workington go head-to-head at the SFC Stadium as both sides search for three points which would see them climb further away from the bottom four.

Both sides haven’t won in five games, but Bamber Bridge are aiming for a league double over the Reds after a 2-1 away win in September.

Leek Town will look to continue their solid form over the Christmas period when they travel to a Warrington Rylands side who have only one defeat in their last 11 league games.

Both sides sit on 28 points going into their battle at the Hive Arena.

And Hebburn Town will be looking to keep within touching distance of the top four when they take on Whitby Town at the Towbar Express Stadium.

All games are set to kick off at 3pm, unless otherwise stated.

Fixtures - Saturday 11 January

• Bamber Bridge vs Workington
• Basford Unted vs Gainsborough Trinity
• Blyth Spartans vs Stockton Town
• Hyde United vs Ilkeston Town
• Lancaster City vs Prescot Cables
• Macclesfield vs FC United of Manchester
• Matlock Town vs Ashton United
• Morpeth Town vs Guiseley
• Warrington Rylands vs Leek Town
• Whitby Town vs Hebburn Town
• Worksop Town vs Mickleover

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