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NPL round-up | Saturday 24 August
There was late drama and plenty of goals across the Northern Premier League’s top division as sides played the first of two games across the August Bank Holiday weekend.
There is a new leader at the top of the table after Hyde United put four past fellow strong starters Stockton Town.
Goals from Drew Baker, Jack Redshaw, Jordan Scanlon and Connor Heath continued the Tigers’ unbeaten start, taking 13 points from their opening five games.
Stockton fell to their second straight defeat, meanwhile, having won their first three of the season.
The only side with a 100% winning record to start the season prior to Saturday, Hebburn Town, needed a late penalty to salvage a point at home to Basford United.
The away side struck first through Ashley Chambers’ third of the season, and led for most of the game. However, Olly Martin’s stoppage-time strike saw the newly-promoted Hornets maintain their unbeaten start to the season.
Joining Hyde and Hebburn on 13 points at the top of the table are Macclesfield, who survived a late scare at Whitby Town to win 3-2 and take all three points back to the Leasing.com Stadium.
The Silkmen led comfortably at half time thanks to a brace from Tom Clare, and instantly regained their two-goal advantage a minute after Joseph Gibson pulled one back just past the hour mark.
In the end, Stephen Walker's strike three minutes from time wasn’t enough to mount a comeback for Whitby, who remain winless at home this season.
Towards the foot of the table, Matlock Town’s 18-year-old goalkeeper Rogan Ravenhill netted from a corner late on against Lancaster City to earn his side a much-needed point after conceding eight without reply in midweek against Worksop Town.
Lancaster remain unbeaten, but with four draws in five.
Nicky Law’s side, who played much of Saturday's game with 10 men after Connor O'Grady's sending-off midway through the first half, still find themselves at bottom of the division, but with much-needed confidence ahead of their game against Leek Town on Monday.
Elsewhere, a five-minute hat-trick from Jake Burton was all that separated Morpeth Town and Warrington Rylands, as last season’s play-off semi-finalists picked up their first win of the season.
The game was goalless until the 77th minute, but a flurry of goals from Burton condemned the Highwaymen to their fourth defeat in five to open the season.
Worksop Town continued their rich vein of goalscoring form as they put five past Blyth Spartans in a convincing win.
Workop have now scored 13 goals in their last two games, Saturday’s 5-2 triumph adding to an 8-0 victory over Matlock Town last Tuesday.
Blyth took the lead twice at Sandy Lane but were unable to weather the late storm as Liam Hughes netted a hat-trick, adding to goals from Jordan Burrow and Luke Hall.
Prescot Cables were 2-0 up with 10 minutes remaining against Mickleover, but two late goals, including one in added time from Ryan Wilson, salvaged a point at Valerie Park.
A five-goal thriller at Guiseley saw FC United of Manchester equalise twice against the hosts, but a Leo Farrell strike on 72 minutes ensured the points remained at Nethermoor as the Lions ran out 3-2 winners.
Elsewhere, Ashton United’s impressive start to the season continued with a dominant 3-0 victory over Workington.
Goals from Louis White, Darius Osei and Thomas Denton moved the Robins up to fourth in the table. It also means they stay unbeaten with three wins from five.
Leek Town saw an early lead slip away once again, this time losing 2-1 against Gainsborough Trinity.
Oliver Harrison had the hosts ahead at half-time, but goals after the restart from Lewis Butroid and Will Lancaster in second half stoppage time condemned Leek to another home defeat - their third in as many games.
Finally, Thomas Cursons’ impressive form continued as he netted both goals for Ilkeston Town as they came from behind to beat Bamber Bridge 2-1.
Ian Deakin’s side move up to sixth, continuing their unbeaten start to the season in the process.
Results - Saturday 24 August
Ashton United 3-0 Workington
Guiseley 3-2 FC United of Manchester
Hebburn Town 1-1 Basford United
Hyde United 4-1 Stockton Town
Ilkeston Town 2-1 Bamber Bridge
Lancaster City 1-1 Matlock Town
Leek Town 1-2 Gainsborough Trinity
Morpeth Town 0-3 Warrington Rylands
Prescot Cables 2-2 Mickleover
Whitby Town 2-3 Macclesfield
Worksop Town 5-2 Blyth Spartans
Click here for the latest results from the NPL East Division, NPL Midlands Division and NPL West Division.
Photo credit: Darren Murphy
Goals from Drew Baker, Jack Redshaw, Jordan Scanlon and Connor Heath continued the Tigers’ unbeaten start, taking 13 points from their opening five games.
Stockton fell to their second straight defeat, meanwhile, having won their first three of the season.
The only side with a 100% winning record to start the season prior to Saturday, Hebburn Town, needed a late penalty to salvage a point at home to Basford United.
The away side struck first through Ashley Chambers’ third of the season, and led for most of the game. However, Olly Martin’s stoppage-time strike saw the newly-promoted Hornets maintain their unbeaten start to the season.
Joining Hyde and Hebburn on 13 points at the top of the table are Macclesfield, who survived a late scare at Whitby Town to win 3-2 and take all three points back to the Leasing.com Stadium.
The Silkmen led comfortably at half time thanks to a brace from Tom Clare, and instantly regained their two-goal advantage a minute after Joseph Gibson pulled one back just past the hour mark.
In the end, Stephen Walker's strike three minutes from time wasn’t enough to mount a comeback for Whitby, who remain winless at home this season.
Towards the foot of the table, Matlock Town’s 18-year-old goalkeeper Rogan Ravenhill netted from a corner late on against Lancaster City to earn his side a much-needed point after conceding eight without reply in midweek against Worksop Town.
Lancaster remain unbeaten, but with four draws in five.
Nicky Law’s side, who played much of Saturday's game with 10 men after Connor O'Grady's sending-off midway through the first half, still find themselves at bottom of the division, but with much-needed confidence ahead of their game against Leek Town on Monday.
Elsewhere, a five-minute hat-trick from Jake Burton was all that separated Morpeth Town and Warrington Rylands, as last season’s play-off semi-finalists picked up their first win of the season.
The game was goalless until the 77th minute, but a flurry of goals from Burton condemned the Highwaymen to their fourth defeat in five to open the season.
Worksop Town continued their rich vein of goalscoring form as they put five past Blyth Spartans in a convincing win.
Workop have now scored 13 goals in their last two games, Saturday’s 5-2 triumph adding to an 8-0 victory over Matlock Town last Tuesday.
Blyth took the lead twice at Sandy Lane but were unable to weather the late storm as Liam Hughes netted a hat-trick, adding to goals from Jordan Burrow and Luke Hall.
Prescot Cables were 2-0 up with 10 minutes remaining against Mickleover, but two late goals, including one in added time from Ryan Wilson, salvaged a point at Valerie Park.
A five-goal thriller at Guiseley saw FC United of Manchester equalise twice against the hosts, but a Leo Farrell strike on 72 minutes ensured the points remained at Nethermoor as the Lions ran out 3-2 winners.
Elsewhere, Ashton United’s impressive start to the season continued with a dominant 3-0 victory over Workington.
Goals from Louis White, Darius Osei and Thomas Denton moved the Robins up to fourth in the table. It also means they stay unbeaten with three wins from five.
Leek Town saw an early lead slip away once again, this time losing 2-1 against Gainsborough Trinity.
Oliver Harrison had the hosts ahead at half-time, but goals after the restart from Lewis Butroid and Will Lancaster in second half stoppage time condemned Leek to another home defeat - their third in as many games.
Finally, Thomas Cursons’ impressive form continued as he netted both goals for Ilkeston Town as they came from behind to beat Bamber Bridge 2-1.
Ian Deakin’s side move up to sixth, continuing their unbeaten start to the season in the process.
Results - Saturday 24 August
Ashton United 3-0 Workington
Guiseley 3-2 FC United of Manchester
Hebburn Town 1-1 Basford United
Hyde United 4-1 Stockton Town
Ilkeston Town 2-1 Bamber Bridge
Lancaster City 1-1 Matlock Town
Leek Town 1-2 Gainsborough Trinity
Morpeth Town 0-3 Warrington Rylands
Prescot Cables 2-2 Mickleover
Whitby Town 2-3 Macclesfield
Worksop Town 5-2 Blyth Spartans
Click here for the latest results from the NPL East Division, NPL Midlands Division and NPL West Division.
Photo credit: Darren Murphy
