NPL round-up | Saturday 21 September

Robbie Savage’s side put in a five-star performance at Basford United, running out emphatic 5-1 winners at Greenwich Avenue.

The score was level at the end of the first half, after Jordan Hallam cancelled out D’Mani Mellor’s early opener. 

However, four unanswered second half goals from four different scorers saw the Silkmen run out convincing winners. They remain top, with eight wins and two draws from the first 10 games.

Lancaster City, the only other side who came into the weekend without a loss on their league record, tasted defeat for the first time as they were beaten 2-1 by Hebburn United.

Jack Donaghy’s winner eight minutes from time ensured that the newly-promoted side moved up into the NPL’s top three.

A tightly contested match-up between two of the early play-off frontrunners at Nethermoor ended 2-1 to Worksop Town, who extended their winning league run to seven games with victory over Guiseley.

The game looked to be heading towards a draw going into the final 10 minutes, but with Guiseley down to 10 men following Adriano Moke’s red card, Worksop broke the Lions down through top scorer Vaughan Redford to pick up all three points, ensuring they remain a point behind Macclesfield.

One of the featured games of the weekend between the two sides sitting at the bottom of the league finished 1-1, as FC United of Manchester’s Adam Le Fondre cancelled out Matlock Town's opener, ensuring that the Reds didn’t end the day at the foot of the table. 

Josh Smith opened the scoring on the half hour mark for the Gladiators, but Ryan Cresswell is still left searching for his first win in the Matlock dugout.

Not long after the full-time whistle at Broadhurst Park, FC United announced the appointment of Mark Beesley as manager, following the recent departure of Neil Reynolds after almost six years in charge. 

Despite failing to collect all three points, FC United moved up a place in the league on Saturday after Warrington Rylands were defeated 2-1 at home to Bamber Bridge, thanks to two first half goals from Lewis Hey and Jack Baxter.

Elsewhere, after a slow start which saw Prescot Cables pick up no wins in their opening five games, Steven Daley’s side have won three of their last five, with a 3-0 away victory at Ashton United on Saturday the pick of the bunch.

The Robins still occupy a play-off berth, dropping down to fourth, but have played at least one game more than every other team in the top half of the division.

Hyde United were unable to climb into the play-off spots following Guiseley’s defeat, after they were only able to pick up a point away at Morpeth Town, drawing 2-2.

All the goals came in the second half, including a 90th-minute equaliser from Morpeth's Danny Barlow. The Tigers are now winless in their last four league games.

Two goals either side of the half for Mickleover led them to a dominant 4-0 win over Blyth Spartans, as they successfully bounced back from a 4-0 defeat at the hands of Worksop in midweek.

David Stockdale’s Spartans remain outside the relegation zone after Leek Town were unable to pick up points at home against Ilkeston Town.

Tom Cursons was on the scoresheet again for the Robins, who ran out 3-1 winners. His nine goals account for 50% of Ilkeston’s scoring output after their opening nine games.

Elsewhere, Workington were dominant in their 3-1 home win over Whitby Town - top scorer David Symington again on target for the Reds - and Gainsborough Trinity and Stockton Town played out a 1-1 draw.

Results - Saturday 21 September

• Ashton United 0-3 Prescot Cables
• Basford United 1-5 Macclesfield
• FC United of Manchester 1-1 Matlock Town
• Gainsborough Trinity 1-1 Stockton Town
• Guiseley 1-2 Worksop Town
• Hebburn Town 2-1 Lancaster City
• Leek Town 1-3 Ilkeston Town
• Mickleover 4-0 Blyth Spartans
• Morpeth Town 2-2 Hyde United
• Warrington Rylands 1-2 Bamber Bridge
• Workington 3-1 Whitby Town

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

Photo credit: Phil Jones