NPL preview | Tuesday 10 September

Macclesfield became the new league leaders on Saturday following a hard-fought 1-0 away win against Step 3 new boys Stockton Town. 

However, their schedule doesn’t ease up this Tuesday. Ashton United were defeated in the league for the first time at the weekend after a late Morpeth Town goal condemned them to a 1-0 defeat. 

They’ll be aiming to bounce back immediately, and in-turn hand Robbie Savage’s side their first defeat of the season.

The only other unbeaten side remaining in the NPL, Lancaster City, host the side who were felled by Macclesfield last time out.

The Dolly Blues put an end to their run of five consecutive league draws with a comeback win at Gainsborough Trinity at the weekend, and this time around they will look to deal Stockton Town a fourth league defeat in five.

The side currently in second place, Worksop Town, host Ilkeston Town, who have had a positive start to the season themselves.

Worksop have kept five clean sheets in their seven games so far, but their defence will face arguably their biggest test of the season against the Robins.

Both sides sit first and second in the goalscoring charts coming into this one, with Ilkeston’s front man Tom Cursons looking to add to his already impressive eight goals this season.

Towards the foot of the table, Warrington Rylands host FC United of Manchester.

The Blues are still struggling to get their campaign up and running after a play-off finish last time around. FC United, meanwhile, occupy the final early relegation spot due to having a worse goal difference than their opponents.

The two sides still without a win this season are both at home, as Blyth Spartans and Matlock Town face Workington and Gainsborough Trinity respectively.

Matlock will be eager to introduce their new signings Montel Gibson and Remaye Campbell in some capacity after signing both on Monday.

Former league leaders, Hyde United, will be aiming to bounce back from their first league defeat of the season at Guiseley when they host Leek Town.

Leek, like Hyde, were on the wrong end of a 4-0 scoreline on Saturday, as they were defeated at home by Worksop. Nicky Spooner’s Hyde side will be looking to remain in the play-offs after their recent heavy defeat saw them drop from first to fifth.

Hebburn Town climbed up to third after a 5-1 win over Bamber Bridge at the weekend. They’re on the road in midweek as they face Morpeth Town.

Morpeth, despite sitting 13th, come into this one buoyed by a recent away win at Ashton United, and will be looking to upset one of the early pace-setters once again.

Hebburn’s opponents on Saturday, Bamber Bridge, fell into the relegation zone following that defeat, and will look to make their stay there a brief one when they host Prescot Cables.

Despite exiting the FA Cup in the last round, Cables have started to pick up momentum in the league, winning their last two games 1-0. They’ll be looking to make it three in a row at the SFC Stadium.

The other two games of the round see in-form Guiseley travel to Whitby Town, and Basford United host Mickleover in an early 10th vs 11th match-up.

All fixtures will kick off at 7:45pm, unless stated otherwise.

Fixtures - Tuesday 10 September

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