NPL preview | Saturday 21 December

As we approach the halfway point of the campaign, Macclesfield find themselves 16 points clear at the top of the table, extending their advantage with an away win over Bamber Bridge in midweek. 

Robbie Savage’s side are on the road again this time around, visiting a Prescot Cables side who are winless in their last six league games.

Nearest challengers Guiseley will be looking to extend their unbeaten run to 12 matches when they host Stockton Town.

Stockton’s form has cooled over the Christmas period, losing four of their previous five games. Despite this, they still remain only four points adrift of the play-offs.

A win for Michael Dunwell’s side would secure a league double over the high-flying Lions, having won the reverse fixture 3-1 in August.

FC United of Manchester start the day in the bottom four, thanks to Warrington Rylands’ point in midweek away at Worksop Town.

This Saturday sees Mark Beesley’s side travel to Sandy Lane, as they attempt to go one better than their north-west neighbours and take all three points against the high-flying Tigers.

Ilkeston Town will be hoping to continue their unbeaten home record in the league this season when they welcome struggling Mickleover to the New Manor Ground.

The Robins will be searching for a fourth win in five as they look to put further ground between themselves and the chasing pack.

Ashton United’s good form over the winter period has seen them climb into the top five, and they’ll be aiming for a fifth win in six when they host Warrington Rylands.

Jason Gilchrist scored all four of their goals in a remarkable 4-3 win against Rylands at the Hive Arena in August, and Ashton will be looking to complete a league double over a Rylands side who have tasted defeat just once in their last six games.

Bottom club Blyth Spartans will be hoping for a first win under Michael Connor when they travel to Hebburn Town.

The Hornets have picked up just one win in their last six and have lost three in a row.

Nevertheless, they will be hoping to turn their form around, against a Blyth side who are without a league win since mid-September.

Leek Town, who boast the worst home record in the division, will be searching for a second league win at Harrison Park when they take on Basford United.

A run of two wins in 10 has seen Martin Carruthers’ side slip into a precarious position just above the bottom four. 

Victory for Leek would see them avoid an unwanted record of 10 games without a win - their last league win coming in mid-October.

Gainsborough Trinity are the form side in the division, winning five in a row heading into their game away at Morpeth Town.

The Holy Blues moved into the top 10 in midweek, and they can climb even further up the table with a sixth straight win this weekend, despite having at least four games in hand on the sides around them due to their recent FA Cup and FA Trophy commitments.

Hyde United, who fell to defeat against Trinity in midweek, will be aiming to bounce back at home to Bamber Bridge.

And Lancaster City and Workington will be hoping to quell their respective two-game losing runs when they clash at the Giant Axe.

Fixtures - Saturday 21 December

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

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