NPL round-up | Tuesday 17 September

League leaders Macclesfield continued their unbeaten run to start the season with a hard-fought 2-1 win at managerless FC United of Manchester.

John Rooney’s winner 15 minutes from time secured a seventh win from their opening nine games. 

FC United remain 20th, still searching for their first win since a 1-0 away victory on the opening day at Morpeth Town.

Hot on the heels of the Silkmen are Worksop Town, who once again enjoyed a fruitful night in front of goal by hitting four away at Mickleover.

The Tigers also recorded their fourth clean sheet in a row, and have conceded only three goals all season. Their purple patch in the final third continues too, with their 26 league goals an impressive seven more than Guiseley, who occupy second place in the scoring charts.

Guiseley moved up to fourth in the table, despite needing a 90th minute Jordan Thewlis equaliser to draw 3-3 at home to Morpeth Town.

This was as a result of Hebburn Town losing only their second game of the league season, as Whitby Town ran out 6-2 victors at the Hebburn Sports Ground.

Daniel Moore’s home side led 2-1, despite Paul Van Zandvliet being shown a red card with the scoreline at 1-1.

Ultimately, the man advantage proved too much for the Hornets, who conceded four in the second half.

Ashton United are the other side who occupy a play-off place, but the Robins were pushed to their limits by bottom club Matlock Town in Ryan Cresswell’s first game in charge.

The Robins did lead 2-0 at half-time but had their advantage halved by Benni Ndlovu five minutes after the restart. Ultimately, Darius Osei’s sixth of the season proved to be the winner after the Gladiators couldn’t find a third following Curtus Durose which made it 3-2 with 21 minutes remaining.

Lancaster City remain unbeaten, but have drawn six of their nine league games following a 1-1 stalemate at 10-man Prescot Cables.

Aaron Bennett’s first goal since his arrival from FC United of Manchester salvaged a point for the Dolly Blues, who travel to Hebburn on Saturday.

Elsewhere, Basford United bounced back from their heavy 6-3 FA Cup defeat at Worksop by scoring three again at Gainsborough Trinity, this time without reply.

And two first half goals from Lucas Weaver and Jeff Adubofour were enough for Bamber Bridge to take all three points at Workington.

Results - Tuesday 17 September

• Ashton United 3-2 Matlock Town
• FC United of Manchester 1-2 Macclesfield
• Gainsborough Trinity 0-3 Basford United
• Guiseley 3-3 Morpeth Town
• Hebburn Town 2-6 Whitby Town
• Mickleover 0-4 Worksop Town
• Prescot Cables 1-1 Lancaster City
• Workington 1-2 Bamber Bridge

Click here for the latest results from the NPL East Division, NPL Midlands Division and NPL West Division.

Photo credit: Macclesfield