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And here's a better round up than mine:


Northern Premier League new boys Workington top the division after a pulsating opening weekend of action.

Danny Grainger's side thrashed Ashton United 5-0, with Scott Allison marking his 33rd birthday with a four-goal haul. Sam Smith scored the other goal - midway through the first half to make it 3-0 - as the Reds enjoyed an afternoon to remember on their return to Step 3. Hot on their heels are new-look Radcliffe, who were 4-0 winners away at Warrington Rylands. All of their goals came in the first half, with Jude Oyibo scoring twice inside the opening 27 minutes before new signings Josh Hancock and Jordan Hulme got in on the act at Gorsey Lane.
Elsewhere in the division, last season's beaten play-off finalists Bamber Bridge endured a goalless draw at Matlock Town, and it was a similar scoreline at the Northolme as there was no separating Gainsborough Trinity and Marine.
Of the other newcomers to the Northern Premier League, Macclesfield and Ilkeston Town fared best, with both picking up wins on their travels. Club-record signing Luke Duffy scored his first Silkmen goal as they won 2-0 at Bradford Park Avenue, and Ilkeston came from behind to pick up a 3-1 victory at Marske United. At Broadhurst Park, FC United of Manchester eased past Worksop Town 3-0, with the damage done in the first half as the Reds led by two at the break. There were also plenty of first half goals in the game between Basford United and Morpeth Town, with the pair playing out an entertaining 2-2 draw. Meanwhile, Lancaster City and Whitby Town both picked up 2-0 wins at home to Stafford Rangers and Atherton Collieries respectively. Finally, Hyde United battled back to rescue a point at home to Guiseley, with Bailey Thompson's header cancelling out Lions defender Jameel Ible's first half opener.

Results - Saturday 12 August

Basford United 2-2 Morpeth Town
Bradford Park Avenue 0-2 Macclesfield
FC United of Manchester 3-0 Worksop Town
Gainsborough Trinity 0-0 Marine
Hyde United 1-1 Guiseley
Lancaster City 2-0 Stafford Rangers
Marske United 1-3 Ilkeston Town
Matlock Town 0-0 Bamber Bridge
Warrington Rylands 0-4 Radcliffe
Whitby 2-0 Atherton Collieries
Workington 5-0 Ashton United 

 

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NPL Round-Up  Tue 15 Aug 23

 about 12 hours ago.     By James Gordon 

Four teams maintained their 100% winning start to the new Northern Premier League season after the opening round of midweek action on Tuesday night. Radcliffe currently top the table following their 4-2 victory over Lancaster City. Jordan Hulme and Nicky Adams set the Boro on their way, and although Lancaster pulled one back early in the second half, goals from Olly Thornley and Luca Navarro wrapped up the points.
Ilkeston Town maintained their fine start to the season as they swept aside Gainsborough Trinity 4-0. Jamie Walker scored twice for the Robins, taking his tally for the season to three goals in two matches. Kieran Fenton and Nathan Tyson were also on target for the hosts. 
Another newcomer to the division, Macclesfield, picked up their second successive win at home to Matlock Town. Second half goals from Tom Peers, former Bamber Bridge midfielder Paul Dawson and Neil Kengni wrapped up a 3-0 triumph for the Silkmen. 
The fourth side to record maintain their winning start to the new league season is Whitby Town, who were impressive 3-1 winners over Guiseley at Nethermoor. Daniel Rowe scored for the second successive match, adding to first half goals from Connor Simpson and Jacob Gratton. 
Elsewhere, Marine thrashed FC United of Manchester 5-1 to record their first win of the season. 2022/23 Northern Premier League Young Player of the Season Fin Sinclair-Smith was among the scorers as he bagged his first league goal on debut.
Andrew Johnson scored twice as Morpeth Town overcame Workington 3-0, while Bamber Bridge scored in either half to beat Hyde United 2-0. 
Worksop Town were victorious in their first Northern Premier League home fixture, with prolific forward Liam Hughes on the scoresheet as they defeated Marske United 3-0.
At the Skuna Stadium, Jordan Scanlon scored twice as Atherton Collieries were 2-0 winners at home to Bradford Park Avenue, and it was a similar situation for Warrington Rylands as a late double from Mo Touray saw them pick up maximum points away at Stafford Rangers.
Finally, Ashton United bounced back from the disappointment of their opening-weekend thrashing at Workington as Sean Newton's second half volley saw them past Basford United, who were forced to play over an hour with 10 men following Brad McGowan's red card and remain without a win this season.

Results - Tuesday 15 August
Ashton United 1-0 Basford United
Atherton Collieries 2-0 Bradford Park Avenue
Bamber Bridge 2-0 Hyde United
Guiseley 1-3 Whitby Town
Ilkeston Town 4-0 Gainsborough Trinity
Macclesfield 3-0 Matlock Town
Marine 5-1 FC United of Manchester
Morpeth Town 3-0 Workington
Radcliffe 4-2 Lancaster City
Stafford Rangers 0-2 Warrington Rylands
Worksop Town 3-0 Marske United

 

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NPL Round-Up | Tuesday 22 August
By James Gordon

Radcliffe moved three points clear at the top of the Northern Premier League table after a 4-1 victory at Workington on Tuesday night. Jamie Morgan and Jordan Hulme both scored twice as Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley's side maintained their perfect start to the season.Their three nearest challengers - Ilkeston Town, Macclesfield and Whitby Town - all fell to midweek defeats.
Ilkeston were beaten 1-0 at FC United of Manchester, with a close-range finish from Nic Bollado on the stroke of half-time proving to be the difference.
Macclesfield were soundly beaten 3-0 at Lancaster City, while Whitby Town fell to a 4-2 loss at home to Worksop Town, despite two late goals reducing the margin of defeat slightly.
Elsewhere, Warrington Rylands picked up their second win in three matches and climbed to 7th with a 2-0 victory over Ashton United.
Josh Hardcastle broke the deadlock with his first goal for the club 12 minutes from time, before Scott Bakkor wrapped up the win in the dying stages.
Stafford Rangers made it back-to-back wins after claiming all three points on the road at early-season strugglers Basford United. Kaiman Anderson and Niah Payne scored the goals for Rangers, with Revarnelle James pulling one back for Basford - who are two points adrift at the bottom of the division with four games played.
In the night's other action, Gainsborough Trinity swept aside Guiseley 4-0 to claim their first win of the season, while Marske United also notched their first points as an Adam Boyes hat-trick helped them to a 3-1 win at home to Bamber Bridge.
At the Project Solar Stadium, a first half double from Matt Fearnley helped Hyde United edge Marine 2-1, and Jonathon Margetts also scored twice as Matlock Town won 3-0 against Atherton Collieries.
The other match of the round took place on Monday night, with goals in either half from Will Lancaster and Chinedu Osadebe enough for Bradford Park Avenue, who beat Morpeth Town 2-0 to earn their first win of the season.

Results - Tuesday 22 August

Basford United 1-2 Stafford Rangers
Bradford Park Avenue 2-0 Morpeth Town (Monday 21 August)
FC United of Manchester 1-0 Ilkeston Town
Gainsborough Trinity 4-0 Guiseley
Hyde United 2-1 Marine
Lancaster City 3-0 Macclesfield
Marske United 3-1 Bamber Bridge
Matlock Town 3-0 Atherton Collieries
Warrington Rylands 2-0 Ashton United
Whitby Town 2-4 Worksop Town
Workington 1-4 Radcliffe

 

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NPL ROUND UP -  Sat 7th September 2023

Radcliffe made it seven wins from seven after claiming a resounding 4-0 victory away at Atherton Collieries in the Northern Premier League. Boro bounced back from their FA Cup disappointment last weekend by putting the Colls to the sword thanks to goals from Rick Smith, Josh Hancock, Jordan Hulme and Jude Oyibo which maintained their perfect start to the season and moved them seven points clear at the top of the table. 

Lancaster City moved up to second place after an impressive 3-0 victory on the road at Hyde United.Goals from Andrew Teague, Samuel Bailey and Charlie Bailey capped off a solid performance from the Dolly Blues who have claimed 10 points from their last four outings.

Hot on their tails is Warrington Rylands who also found themselves victorious away from home at Whitby Town. A brace from Mo Touray and a late finish from James Baillie sealed all three points for the Blues who ran out a 3-1 victory over the Seasiders. 

Talisman Jonathan Margetts extended his lead at the top of the goalscoring leaderboards to nine goals, as his four strikes helped Matlock Town to a 5-0 victory at home to Marske United. Karl Demidh also found himself on the scoresheet as they plunged the Seasiders to their sixth defeat of the season.

Macclesfield put their recent poor form behind them as they dismantled Ashton United 5-0 at home. Alex Curran took his goalscoring tally up to six with a brace as Paul Dawson, Neil Kengni and Luke Duffy helped move the Silkmen up to fourth place.

Elsewhere, Stafford Rangers were beaten 2-0 at home to Marine.Matty Hill’s side succumbed to their fifth defeat of the season as Darius Osei and Sol Solomon were on target for the Mariners who moved up to fifth in the table.
Workington’s mixed start to life in the Premier Division improved last weekend as they played out an entertaining 5-3 win at home to Basford United. The hosts took a two-goal lead into halftime thanks to goals from Brad Hubbold and David Symington before Basford hit back twice to level the scores. Kofie Moore fired the Reds back in front before David Symington claimed a second and despite Jack Thomas getting the visitors back within one goal, Moore would compound Basford’s misery with his second of the game, leaving the Lions at the bottom of the table.

Guiseley claimed their second win of the season with a 2-0 win away at Bamber Bridge, courtesy of first-half goals from Kallan Murphy and Tom Pratt.

FC United of Manchester bounced back from last week’s heavy defeat to Radcliffe with a 2-0 victory over Bradford (Park Avenue) at Broadhurst Park. Jay Fitzmartin’s first-half brace allowed the hosts to see the game out as they maintained pace with the leading pack at the top of the table.

Connor Dixon’s strike in the second half was not enough to overturn Worksop United’s two-goal advantage who ran out 2-1 victors on the road, condemning the Robins to their fourth straight defeat.

Finally, Gainsborough Trinity’s tough start to the season continued as they were beaten 2-0 away at Morpeth Town. Goals from Michael Turner and Liam Noble leave the Holy Blues within the bottom four on five points.Results -

Saturday 9 September
Atherton Collieries 0-4 Radcliffe
Bamber Bridge 0-2 Guiseley
FC United of Manchester 2-0 Bradford (Park Avenue)
Hyde United 0-3 Lancaster City
Ilkeston Town 1-2 Worksop Town
Macclesfield 5-0 Ashton United
Matlock Town 5-0 Marske United
Morpeth Town 2-0 Gainsborough Trinity
Stafford Rangers 0-2 Marine
Whitby Town 1-3 Warrington Rylands
Workington AFC 5-3 Basford United 

 

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NPL ROUND-UP  -  Tuesday 26th Sep 2023

Northern Premier League leaders Radcliffe suffered their first defeat of the season away at Marine on Tuesday night. A Fin Sinclair-Smith double, either side of Sol Solomon's 12th minute goal, proved enough to see the Mariners secure all three points with a 3-2 win, despite a late goal from Radcliffe midfielder Josh Hancock setting up a nervy last few minutes at the Marine Travel Arena.
  
The Boro's slip-up allowed Warrington Rylands to close the gap at the top to four points after their 1-0 win over FC United of Manchester. Scott Bakkor's goal early in the second half was enough to see the in-form Blues make it 10 games unbeaten and record their fifth successive win in all competitions.
 
First half goals from Jason Gilchrist and James Hardy helped Ashton United to a 2-1 victory at home to Bradford Park Avenue, as the Robins made it three wins in a row.
 
Macclesfield occupy the final play-off place, despite being held to a 1-1 draw at Ilkeston Town. Kane Drummond put the Silkmen ahead on 71 minutes, only for in-form forward Jamie Walker to level matters with his 10th goal of the season.
 
 Elsewhere, Liam Hughes was on target again for Worksop Town as they beat Matlock Town 2-0, while a Jacob Gratton double helped Whitby Town to a 4-2 win at home to Marske United.

Workington picked up three points at home to Lancaster City, leapfrogging the Dolly Blues in the table, and Sam Hodgson rescued a point at the death for Morpeth Town as they drew 1-1 with Guiseley. 

At the Skuna Stadium, last season's beaten play-off finalists Bamber Bridge staged a late fightback to beat Atherton Collieries 2-1. Colls had led three minutes into the contest through Nathan Caine, only for Macauley Wilson to level from the penalty spot 13 minutes from time before Harry Scarborough snatched all three points in second half stoppage time.

Finally, Hyde United beat Stafford Rangers 2-1 to climb up to 13th in the league. Goals from Jimiel Chikukwa and Jack Redshaw mean the Tigers have now won their last three matches in league and cup. 

Results - Tuesday 26 September
Ashton United 2-1 Bradford Park Avenue
Atherton Collieries 1-2 Bamber Bridge
Ilkeston Town 1-1 Macclesfield
Marine 3-2 Radcliffe
Morpeth Town 1-1 Guiseley
Stafford Rangers 1-2 Hyde United
Warrington Rylands 1-0 FC United of Manchester
Whitby Town 4-2 Marske United
Workington 2-1 Lancaster
Worksop Town 2-0 Matlock Town

 

Last edited by Matchman (28/9/2023 7:42 AM)

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NPL ROUND-UP   -  14 OCT '23

The Northern Premier League table continues to take shape following another weekend of fixtures, with goals in every one of the seven games across the division.

There were goals galore at FC United of Manchester, with the home side beaten 5-2 by Morpeth Town. Michael Turner scored twice for the Highwaymen, who now only sit three points off the play-off places following the win.

Meanwhile, Radcliffe’s fine form continued as they further cemented their spot at the top thanks to a 3-0 win over play-off pushing Ilkeston Town. Brad Jackson opened the scoring midway through the first half, with Josh Hancock and Gareth Evans also finding themselves on the scoresheet for the Boro.

Bradford Park Avenue’s struggles continued as they lost 3-0 at home to Hyde United.  It’s a different story for this weekend's winners though, as they now linger outside the play-off places after a sixth win in their last eight matches in all competitions. 

The points were shared at the Proctor Cars Stadium as Workington came from two goals down to draw 2-2 at Matlock Town. Jonathan Margetts was once again on the scoresheet for the Gladiators, taking his tally for the season to 17.

Further down the division, Gainsborough Trinity were denied a precious three points as high-flying Warrington Rylands rescued a point on their travels. Central defender Matty Regan’s 90th minute leveller - his second goal in the space of a week - cancelled out Declan Howe’s ninth-minute opener for the Holy Blues.

Finally, Stafford Rangers remain in the relegation zone after conceding either side of half-time and falling to a 2-0 defeat away at Guiseley. The Lions, meanwhile, have now won their last four matches in all competitions.

Results - Saturday 14th October 
Bradford (Park Avenue) 0-3 Hyde United
FC United of Manchester 2-5 Morpeth Town
Gainsborough Trinity 1-1 Warrington Rylands 
Guiseley 2-0 Stafford Rangers 
Marske United 1-0 Basford United 
Matlock Town 2-2 Workington AFC
Radcliffe 3-0 Ilkeston Town

 

NPL ROUND-UP - Tuesday 24th October
Radcliffe extended their lead at the top of the Northern Premier League table with a 3-1 victory over Stafford Rangers at the Neuven Stadium. Stafford took the lead three minutes into the game through Ethan Stewart, but the hosts would hit back just a minute later through Luca Navarro, before wrapping up proceedings prior to the end of the first half with goals from Jude Oyibo and Olly Thornley. 

Warrington Rylands conceded ground in their bid to chase down the league leaders after they were pegged back with a late equaliser in a 2-2 draw away at Bamber Bridge. The Blues had already been pegged back in the first half when Harry Benns cancelled out Adama Sidibeh’s opener before Mo Touray fired them back in front just in advance of the half-time whistle. However, it would be heartbreak for Rylands who saw two points slip from their grasp in injury time when Clive Smith put the ball in the back of his own net following a mix-up in defence.

Meanwhile, Ashton United fought back twice to earn a point on the road at Gainsborough Trinity. Goals from Mitchell Rose and Jason Gilchrist cancelled out Bobby Johnson’s and Declan Howe’s finishes to ensure that the Robins stay in third place in the table.

Macclesfield suffered their third defeat in five league games after being hit by two late goals at home to Worksop Town. Alex Curran fired the hosts into the lead after 36 minutes, but George Taft was on hand to level the proceedings in the 70th minute, before the Tigers pounced once again six minutes before full-time when Jay Rollins hooked it past O’Keefe to earn a precious three points.

Marine hit a stumbling block in their bid to keep pace with the leading pack as they fell to a 4-2 defeat away at Guiseley, with a hattrick from Gabriel Johnson and a strike from Tom Pratt moving the Lions within the top half of the table.

Hyde United continue to threaten to push into the play-off places after beating Ilkeston Town 2-0 on home soil, thanks to second-half goals from Lewis Alessandra and Jack Redshaw.

Jonathon Margetts was on target twice for Matlock Town who claimed a 2-0 victory over Basford United, taking his goalscoring tally to 19 for the season

.There was a five-goal thriller at the Giant Axe as Lancaster City picked up a much-needed three points over Morpeth Town with a 3-2 win. Dominic Lawson picked up a brace for the Dolly Blues while Andrew Johnson answered it with two goals of his own for the Highwaymen, but it was David Norris’ finish 10 minutes from time that was the difference between the two sides.

Further down the division, Marske United picked up their third consecutive victory with a 3-0 win at home to Workington AFC. Goals from Camron Gbadebo, Curtis Round and Adam Boyes see them move out of the relegation zone for the first time since this season.

Atherton Collieries took a big step forward in their fight for survival as they moved off of the bottom of the table with a crucial 2-0 win over FC United of Manchester at Broadhurst Park thanks to goals from Joe Adams and Lewis Mansell. 
 

Last edited by Matchman (25/10/2023 4:14 PM)

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NPL ROUND_UP  :  Sat 11th Nov 23
Anthony Dudley's first-half strike was enough to see leaders Radcliffe maintain their seven-point cushion at the top of the Northern Premier League on Saturday. Despite not being at their free-scoring best, the Boro responded well to a 4-0 defeat at Matlock Town in their most recent outing. 

The teams immediately below them all colleced maximum points, with a late Adama Sidibeh goal helping second-placed Warrington Rylands past Ilkeston Town and Worksop Town emphatically sweeping aside Atherton Collieries 4-1.Colls have now lost eight of their last nine league games and sit five points from safety. 



Hyde United also secured all three points at home to third-bottom Marske United. Top scorer Jack Redshaw was on target for the Tigers as he scored his ninth goal of the season from the penalty spot.  

Elsewhere, Ashton United saw their play-off position weaken slightly as Marine came from a goal down to earn themselves a point at the Marine Travel Arena. That result enabled sixth-placed Macclesfield to move to within a point of the Robins.



First-half goals from John Rooney and Alex Curran helped them to a 2-1 victory over Whitby Town, with recently-appointed Silkmen boss Alex Bruce maintaining his 100% winning start at the helm. 

The game of the afternoon undoubtedly came at Nethermoor, where Guiseley overcame a stubborn Workington 4-3. The Lions were pegged back three times before Gabriel Johnson completed his third hat-trick of the season in wonderful fashion 20 minutes from time to make sure of the points for the Lions. 

An inspired second-half fightback saw 10-man Matlock Town come from two goals down to beat Bradford Park Avenue. 



Jonathon Margetts was on target once again for the Gladiators, taking his tally for the season to a league-high 25 in all competitions. Their victory was even more impressive considering Finlay Armond was sent off just 14 minutes into the game.

In the day's other action, a Daniel Edwards brace helped Bamber Bridge to a 5-2 home win against Basford United, while Morpeth Town responded to their crushing 7-0 defeat at Worksop Town in midweek by beating second-bottom Stafford Rangers 3-0 on the road.
At the Giant Axe, Lancaster City and FC United of Manchester played out a goalless draw, with both remaining in the bottom half of the table. 

Results - Saturday 11 November

Bamber Bridge 5-2 Basford United
Bradford Park Avenue 2-3 Matlock Town
Guiseley 4-3 Workington
Hyde United 3-0 Marske United
Ilkeston Town 0-1 Warrington Rylands
Lancaster City 0-0 FC United of Manchester
Macclesfield 2-1 Whitby Town
Marine 1-1 Ashton United
Radcliffe 1-0 Gainsborough Trinity
Stafford Rangers 0-3 Morpeth Town
Worksop Town 4-1 Atherton Collieries

Photo credit: Darren Murphy   


 

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NPL ROUND-UP. -  18 Nov '23

Warrington Rylands came from behind to overcome fellow Northern Premier League high-flyers Worksop Town on Saturday. The pair came into the weekend level on 32 points, 10 adrift of runaway leaders Radcliffe who were in FA Trophy action on the same day.  Despite falling behind to a 41st-minute Vaughan Redford penalty, Ben Hardcastle equalised on the stroke of half-time for the Blues before Adama Sidibeh netted a late winner for the second Saturday in a row.

Elsewhere, Guiseley missed the chance to climb up to fourth as a dramatic stoppage-time penalty from Declan McLoughlin helped FC United of Manchester to a thrilling 3-2 win at Broadhurst Park. 

Morpeth Town, meanwhile, moved into the top half of the table as a Sam Hodgson double steered them to a 2-1 victory over Ilkeston Town.

Goals in either half proved enough for Whitby Town as they ran out 2-0 winners at home to Bamber Bridge - a result which means the Seasiders end the weekend 11th. The Brig, beaten in last season's play-off final, have now won just one of their last six matches in all competitions. 

A second-half double from David Symington helped Workington to a comfortable 3-0 win at Basford United. 

Gainsborough Trinity extended their recent resurgence as quickfire goals from Dayle Southwell and Javelle Clarke saw them recover from a goal down to clinch all three points against Bradford Park Avenue at Northolme. 

The other scheduled games on Saturday afternoon - Atherton Collieries against Marine and Lancaster City's trip to Marske United - were both postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

Results - Saturday 18 November

Atherton Collieries P-P Marine
Basford United 0-3 Workington
FC United of Manchester 3-2 Guiseley
Gainsborough Trinity 2-1 Bradford Park Avenue
Marske United P-P Lancaster City
Morpeth Town 2-1 Ilkeston Town
Warrington Rylands 2-1 Worksop Town
Whitby Town 2-0 Bamber Bridge 

 

Last edited by Matchman (21/11/2023 3:50 AM)