NPL preview | Saturday 7 September

One of the highlights of Gameweek 7 sees Guiseley host unbeaten Hyde United, seven days on from knocking Ashton United out of the FA Cup.

The FA Cup first qualifying round provided a break to league action. However, Guiseley continued their momentum after two 3-2 wins over the bank holiday weekend by defeating league high-flyers Ashton.

The Lions host Hyde, who sit above the side they toppled in the cup on goal difference. 

Hyde come into this one having played in midweek, after their tie against FC United of Manchester was decided via a replay which the Tigers won 1-0.

Ashton will look to bounce back after their cup exit as they host Morpeth Town.

Both fixtures last season between the two provided plenty of entertainment, with 13 goals scored across both games. 

The Robins will be aiming to come out on the right end of the result again, after beating Morpeth 4-3 at Hurst Cross last October.

The third side tied on 14 points to begin the season, Macclesfield, travel to Stockton Town this weekend.

Stockton returned to winning ways in the league on Bank Holiday Monday against Whitby Town, after two consecutive defeats put an end to their 100% winning start.

A win for them against Robbie Savage’s side will not only hand the Silkmen their first defeat of the season, but it would also see the Anchors leapfrog their opponents in the table.

Towards the foot of the division, two sides who occupy the early relegation places go head-to-head as winless Blyth Spartans travel to Valerie Park to take on Prescot Cables.

Cables will be aiming to make it back-to-back wins in the league, after they picked up their first three points of the season against Warrington Rylands last time out.

Meanwhile, managerless Blyth Spartans will be aiming to improve on a bank holiday weekend that saw them concede nine goals over two games.

The club subsequently parted ways with manager Nobby Solano and have yet to appoint his replacement, having been taken to a replay by Campion before advancing in the FA Cup. 

The only other side without a win this season and current bottom club Matlock Town travel to a Mickleover side fresh off a commanding 5-0 FA Cup win against Coleshill Town.

Micleover are currently unbeaten in their last three league games too, picking up a win and two draws.

Matlock will be eager to gain their first win of the season after being knocked out of the FA Cup by Spalding United following a midweek repla - days after parting ways with manager Nicky Law.

Elsewhere, Worksop Town will be aiming to keep their impressive goalscoring run going when they travel to Leek Town.

The Tigers scored another three in the FA Cup last weekend, following the 14 they struck in their previous three league games. 

Their three goals conceded is an early league-best too, and they’ll provide a tough test for a Leek side who are still finding their feet in the NPL.

Hebburn Town, who currently occupy the final play-off place, host Bamber Bridge. The Hornets will look to get back to winning ways in the league after two late Workington goals ended the newly-promoted side’s unbeaten start on Bank Holiday Monday.

Efe Ambrose will be available to make his Workington debut after he was cup-tied for their recent FA Cup defeat to Hebburn, as his new employers take on Warrington Rylands.

The Blues have failed to score in four of their six league games so far, but come into this one with confidence in front of goal having put four past Thackley in the FA Cup last weekend.

FC United of Manchester will be searching for their first home win of the league season as they welcome Basford United to Broadhurst Park.

And finally, Ilkeston United will be hoping to bounce back from their first league defeat on Bank Holiday Monday when they take on Whitby Town, who were taken to penalties and eventually knocked out of the FA Cup by NPL West division side Mossley in midweek.

All fixtures will kick off at 3pm.

Fixtures - Saturday 7 September

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