NPL preview | Saturday 23 November

A top vs bottom clash headlines this weekend’s games, as unbeaten league leaders Macclesfield welcome Blyth Spartans to the Leasing.com Stadium.

Robbie Savage’s side will be searching for their 11th straight win in the league this weekend, whereas Blyth will be hoping to pull off an unfancied result as they look to end their current six-game losing streak.

Below the table-topping Silkmen, Guiseley won their fourth straight game in midweek away at Ashton United, meaning they come into Saturday’s game away at Matlock Town second in the table.

Matlock have seen stark improvements under Ryan Cresswell, and sit sixth in the form table over the last six games. Both sides will be hoping to continue their good form at the expense of each other this weekend.

Lancaster City have made ground on the play-offs in the last two weeks by defeating sides also challenging for a spot in the top five. 

The Dolly Blues will look to make it three wins in a row when they host another side fighting near the top of the table in Worksop Town.

Worksop put an end to their four-game losing run last time out with a convincing 3-0 win over Whitby Town. Another win for the Tigers this weekend would see a seven-point barrier created between themselves and Lancaster.

The other two sides currently occupying a play-off place, Hebburn Town and Ashton United, go head-to-head at Hebburn Sports Ground.

Both sides will be looking to bounce back from their respective losses to Guiseley in the last week and avoid potentially slipping out of the top five, which could be on the cards with a loss.

Towards the foot of the table, Mickleover will be hoping to make their current stay in the bottom four a brief one when they host Workington.

A 4-1 defeat at the hands of Whitby Town saw Gareth Holmes' side lose for the fifth straight game, extending their current winless run to seven.

Despite picking up a point at FC United of Manchester last week, Workington still come into this one with the worst away record in the league, picking up just four points from nine games.

Elsewhere, FC United are on their travels, as they face a Stockton Town side fresh off of a strong performance in the FA Trophy against National League North side Scarborough Athletic.

The Anchors will be looking to bring that form into the league, after two consecutive 2-1 defeats which have seen them fall out of the top five.

Leek Town will be searching for only their second home league win of the season when they host Morpeth Town, who have similarly cooled off after a strong run of form.

The Highwaymen have endured successive 2-0 losses after a run of four straight wins before then. 

Leek, meanwhile, will be hoping to extend that losing run and know a win could see them climb out of the bottom four.

Two more sides currently in the bottom half face off as Gainsborough Trinity host Bamber Bridge.

Despite currently residing in 19th, Gainsborough have between three and six games in hand on the other teams in the division, given their prolonged involvement in the FA Cup.

The Holy Blues have won six straight games in all competitions too, and will be aiming for a third successive league win which would see them move ahead of their opponents in the table.

Warrington Rylands are a side in good form, and the Blues will also be looking for a third straight league win and potentially add more breathing space between themselves and the bottom four. 

They host Ilkeston Town, who are aiming to bounce back from a 4-3 defeat to Lancaster City two weeks ago.

In the weekend's other action, 11th takes on 12th when Basford United welcome Prescot Cables to Greenwich Avenue.

Cables have seen a slip in form, picking up just one win in their last six league games. Basford will be aiming to inflict another defeat on the visitors, with confidence high for the Lions following last week’s FA Trophy win at St Albans City.

Finally, Whitby Town will be looking for a second straight league win when they travel to Hyde United, who themselves are unbeaten in the last four, but have amassed three draws during that time.

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

Fixtures - Saturday 23 November

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

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