NPL preview | Saturday 16 November

The weekend’s featured game takes place at Nethermoor, where fifth hosts third as Guiseley take on Hebburn Town.

The Lions have enjoyed a perfect return to league football after three weeks away, winning twice in the last week and keeping clean sheets in both games.

Their 2-0 midweek win over Prescot Cables saw them climb up into fifth, and a third straight league win against Hebburn this weekend would result in them moving into the top three, above their opponents.

Towards the foot of the table, Blyth Spartans will be hoping to build on their strong performance in Michael Connor’s first game in charge last weekend when they host Matlock Town.

Matlock, despite currently residing in the league’s bottom four, have only lost two league games since Ryan Cresswell’s appointment in mid-September, both against sides currently in the league’s top four.

A win for the Gladiators could see them rise as high as 13th in the table.

FC United of Manchester, who have the worst home record in the division, will be searching for their first league win at Broadhurst Park this season against Workington, who in-turn have the division's worst away form.

An important away win at Leek Town last weekend kept FC United within touching distance of the sides above them, and a win over Mark Fell’s side this time around would bring them to within one point of the visitors.

Elsewhere, ninth and 10th in the division do battle as Morpeth Town host Lancaster City.

Lancaster will be aiming to make it two wins in a row after a seven-goal thriller last time out against fellow play-off chasers Ilkeston Town. 

Morpeth, meanwhile, will look to bounce back from defeat to league leaders Macclesfield last weekend.

Ashton United will be riding a wave of momentum going into their home game against Leek Town, following their big away win at Stockton Town last weekend.

Leek, who hold one of the better away records this season, know that all three points would see them climb back out of the bottom four, after falling into the drop zone after their home defeat to FC United a week ago.

Elsewhere, Prescot Cables will be looking to end a run of three straight defeats when they host Hyde United.

Nicky Spooner’s side are looking to move back into the play-off places, after Guiseley’s win in midweek saw them drop to sixth. 

And Mickleover will also be looking to put a stop to their poor form when they travel to East Yorkshire to take on Whitby Town.

Gareth Holmes’ side are without a league win in six, and are scoreless in their last three. 

Whitby, on the other hand, will be playing their fifth league game already this month. They’ve picked up two wins and two defeats so far in November.

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

Fixtures - Saturday 16 November

• Ashton United vs Leek Town
• Blyth Spartans vs Matlock Town
• FC United of Manchester vs Workington
• Guiseley vs Hebburn Town
• Morpeth Town vs Lancaster City
• Prescot Cables vs Hyde United
• Whitby Town vs Mickleover

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