NPL round-up | Saturday 19 October

The Silkmen ran out narrow winners over Warrington Rylands, with Danny Elliott’s early goal enough to secure a 1-0 win.

Robbie Savage’s side saw their nearest challengers, Worksop Town, fall to a second defeat in three games, at home to another of the division's early-season high-flyers in Hebburn Town.

A quick start at Sandy Lane saw Hebburn take a 3-2 lead shortly before the half-hour mark, with the Tigers having led inside six minutes.

However, Michael Turner’s second half strike confirmed a big 4-2 win for the Hornets, putting an end to their brief two-game winless run.

Elsewhere, Stockton Town climbed into the play-off spots following a commanding 3-0 home win over Mickleover.

In a game where all the goals came in the first half, the Anchors controlled proceedings to secure a third straight league win, their goals coming from Michael Sweet, Tom Coulthard and Michael Roberts.

Guiseley are the other side who end the weekend in the top five, despite their winless league run being stretched to five games after a second consecutive 1-1 draw, this time away at Ilkeston Town.

Tom Cursons was on the scoresheet again for the Robins, netting his 12th goal in 13 league games. 

Still, John Lufudu’s equaliser before half-time was enough to secure a point for the visitors at the New Manor Ground. 

Towards the bottom of the division, Matlock Town climbed out of the bottom four with a 3-2 win over Basford United.

Ryan Cresswell’s first home game in charge of the Gladiators wasn’t without any late scares though, as Basford almost staged a comeback from three goals down.

Ultimately, Matlock were able to hang on and secure a second straight league win, moving them to 18th.

At the SFC Stadium, FC United of Manchester conceded four first-half goals as they were beaten heavily by Bamber Bridge.

Meanwhile, Lancaster City and Ashton United played out an entertaining 2-2 draw at the Giant Axe.

Ashton raced out to an early two-goal lead inside 15 minutes, but second-half goals from Dom Lawson and Lewis Mansell helped salvage a draw for the Dolly Blues - a league-high eighth in 14 games.

Hyde United left it late to take all three points against Workington, with a stoppage-time penalty from Jack Redshaw securing an important 3-2 win as Nicky Spooner’s side drew level on points with sides in the top five.

Prescot Cables were unable to take advantage of the sides above them dropping points, however, as they fell to a 2-0 defeat at home to Morpeth Town.

Goals either side of half-time from Rhys Evans and Nic Bollado ensured a 2-0 win for the Highwaymen, lifting them to 14th.

And in the final game of the weekend, nothing could separate Whitby Town and Leek Town as they played out a goalless draw.

Both remain outside of the relegation zone, but only by slender two and four-point margins respectively. 

Results - Saturday 19 October

• Bamber Bridge 4-0 FC United of Manchester
• Hyde United 3-2 Workington
• Ilkeston Town 1-1 Guiseley
• Lancaster City 2-2 Ashton United
• Macclesfield 1-0 Warrington Rylands
• Matlock Town 3-2 Basford United
• Prescot Cables 0-2 Morpeth Town
• Stockton Town 3-0 Mickleover 
• Whitby Town 0-0 Leek Town
• Worksop Town 2-4 Hebburn Town

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

Photo credit: Michael South Photography