NPL round-up | Saturday 9 November

The first came at Greenwich Arena, where a Stephen Walker hat-trick helped Whitby Town to a big 4-3 win over Basford United.

Victory shoots Nathan Halsam’s side into 13th, level on points with their opponents, who have now lost three straight games in the league.

4-3 was the scoreline at the Giant Axe too, as Lancaster City picked up a much-needed three points over Ilkeston Town, who fell out of the play-off spots.

Tom Cursons’ goal inside the first minute was an indication of how the first half was going to pan out, with six goals being shared between the two sides inside the first 45 minutes.

Ultimately, Aaron Bennett’s hat-trick-sealing goal three minutes after the restart was all that separated the two sides, as the Dolly Blues bounced back from their 5-1 defeat to Macclesfield last time out.

The league leaders once again picked up three points this weekend, defeating Morpeth Town 2-0 at the Leasing.com Stadium.

Goals in either half from Danny Elliot and D’Mani Mellor secured a 10th straight league win for Robbie Savage’s side.

Hebburn Town were the only other side to start the day in the top five and pick up points, defeating Prescot Cables 2-0.

Both goals came in the second half following a manic first period which saw Cables have two men sent off and Hebburn miss two penalties. 

Hebburn moved up to second in the league, after Stockton Town and Worksop Town both tasted defeat.

Worksop lost their fourth straight league game at Hyde United, who consequently moved up into the play-offs after the win.

Goals from Radcliffe loanee Ewan Bange and Cal Spooner’s first since his return from Southport secured a big three points for the Tigers, who ended their run of three league games without a win.

Meanwhile, Stockton’s five-game winning league run was ended by play-off-chasing Ashton United, who came from a goal down to win 2-1.

Two goals in as many minutes from Darius Osei and James Hardy with just over 15 minutes to play turned the game on its head as the Robins moved to within a point of the play-offs with a game in hand.

Towards the foot of the table, Michael Connor’s first game in charge of Blyth Spartans ended in defeat as Ben Hardcastle’s double earned three points for Warrington Rylands.

A 2-1 win for Neil Reynolds’ side lifted them up to 16th. However, they remain level on points with Matlock Town, who occupy the final relegation place.

Elsewhere, Leek Town fell into the relegation zone after a home defeat at the hands of FC United of Manchester.

Despite taking the lead inside nine minutes through Owen Windsor, the hosts were behind 15 minutes later. 

Mark Beesley’s side held on for a win that pulled them two points behind their opponents, with goals from Paul Ennis and Gez Sithole enough to seal victory on their travels.

Gainsborough Trinity’s momentum from last week’s FA Cup progression has most definitely carried over into the league, as they won their second game in a matter of days, easing past Workington 3-0.

At the Proctor Cars Stadium, Matlock Town won a five-goal thriller, defeating Bamber Bridge 3-2.

The Gladiators were a goal and a man down at half-time, with goalkeeper Roger Ravenhill seeing red after half an hour.

However, Josh Granite’s leveller and Montel Gibson’s strike five minutes from time secured a big three points after back-to-back league defeats.

And finally, Guiseley returned to league action with a win as Jordan Thewlis netted in second-half stoppage time to steal a 1-0 win at Mickleover. 

The Lions find themselves two points off the play-offs with games in hand over all of the teams above them. 

Results - Saturday 9 November

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

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