NPL preview | Workington eye play-off spot as Guiseley aim to close gap to leaders
In-form Workington can climb as high as fifth in the NPL Premier Division on Tuesday night, should they overcome Emley on the road.
The Reds have been in sparkling form since their opening victory of the campaign against FC United of Manchester on August 22 and come into this one searching for a sixth straight league win.
Their impressive recent results have come despite Billy Barr’s side picking up just one point from their opening four games.
Their West Yorkshire opponents on Tuesday night will have to be on full alert to deal with the threat of Luke Hunter, who has netted seven league goals already, and nine across all competitions in 2026/27.
Emley will be hoping that familiar territory at the Fantastic Media Welfare Ground delivers a return of positive fortunes.
Richard Tracey’s side began life at Step 3 extremely well, picking up seven points from their first four games, though their recent form has illustrated some signs of concern.
A 4-0 defeat to local rivals Guiseley over the August Bank Holiday was followed by another heavy league defeat to Bury, plus emphatic losses to Spennymoor Town and Bootle in cup competitions.
Similarly to Workington, fourth-placed Guiseley can build on their outstanding form when they make the midweek trip to Alfreton Town.
The Lions visit the Impact Arena looking for a seventh win in eight league fixtures - the only blemish being a 2-1 defeat to Lancaster City on August 28.
Ian Richards’ side can also take great belief from a convincing FA Trophy triumph against Bamber Bridge over the weekend, plus a resounding 4-1 victory against National League outfit Hebburn Town a week earlier.
That being said, 11th-placed Alfreton will provide a stern test. Jake Buxton’s side have claimed 12 points from nine league fixtures thus far, but their home form has been hugely encouraging.
The Reds have already beaten Gainsborough Trinity, Hyde United and high-flying Avro at the Impact Arena, although they were beaten 2-1 by Warrington Rylands in their most recent home league outing.
The aforementioned Warrington Rylands travel to the New Manor Ground on Tuesday night, facing off against 20th-placed Ilkeston Town.
Tris Whitman’s side won their opening two league fixtures against Stockton Town and Emley, but have been unable to register a win across all competitions since.
The Derbyshire club have lost five matches in succession, conceding 18 and scoring only three in the process. However, a third victory of the campaign here would lift them out of the relegation zone.
Fresh off the back of beating Stockton Town in the FA Trophy, Neil Reynolds’ Rylands will hope to secure their fifth league victory of the campaign. Last season’s beaten play-off finalists have worked themselves into good form, picking up seven points from their last three league games.
Tuesday evening’s only other fixture in the NPL Premier Division sees Whitby Town play host to Lancaster City at the Towbar Express Stadium.
Lee Bullock’s men delivered a morale-boosting display at Hyde United in their last NPL outing, defeating the Tigers 3-1 to climb to 12th.
However, Bullock will not be in the dugout on Tuesday after the club confirmed he had been admitted to hospital on Sunday morning. In his absence, assistant Denny Ingram will take charge of the Seasiders.
A humbling defeat to Bridlington Town in FA Trophy action on Saturday somewhat stalled Whitby’s momentum, although visitors Lancaster experienced a similar story themselves.
Jimmy Marshall’s side, who sit 16th, have lost three successive matches across all competitions. The Dolly Blues, however, will be confident of downing Whitby after beating Bury and Guiseley in their last two away league games.
Fixtures - Tuesday 29 September
- Alfreton Town vs Guiseley
- Emley vs Workington
- Ilkeston Town vs Warrington Rylands
- Whitby Town vs Lancaster City
Check out the latest fixtures and results from across the NPL East Division, NPL Midlands Division and NPL West Division.