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NPL PREVIEW SAT 5TH APRIL 25. by JDG Media
Ilkeston don't get a mention
With five games to go, there's still plenty to play for at both ends of the Northern Premier League table.
In the fight to avoid the drop, Mickleover could be all-but-relegated this weekend, but only if they lose at home to FC United of Manchester and Whitby Town and Matlock Town win their respective games.
Whitby travel to Lancaster City, who will be playing for the first time under new boss Jimmy Marshall following his appointment on Thursday. Marshall takes over from Chris Willcock, who left the club at the beginning of March after just over a year in charge.
Matlock, meanwhile, welcome Morpeth Town to the Proctor Cars Stadium as they look to stay out of the bottom four.
Morpeth still have an outside chance of reaching the play-offs, but their hopes have diminished in recent weeks after a run of three games without a win.
Basford United, another who are in the relegation mix, host promotion hopefuls Ashton United. The Lions are currently third-bottom and five points from safety after a run of just one win in six, while their visitors current occupy the final play-off spot, despite claiming victory in just one of their last seven in the league.
Bamber Bridge come into the latest round of fixtures just three points above the drop zone, and they will hope to increase that advantage with victory away at Leek Town. Defeat for Leek could drag them right back into the survival fight, the Blues starting the weekend three points clear of their opponents.
Further up the division, champions Macclesfield continue their title parade with a home game against Workington. Robbie Savage's side will be looking for their eighth win in a row, against a Workington side that have suffered back-to-back defeats on the road.
Worksop Town could all-but-secure home advantage in the play-offs with victory away at Stockton Town. Having won their last nine in the league, the Tigers will search for a perfect 10 against fourth-placed Stockton, who have picked up 16 points from a possible 18 in recent weeks. Victory for Worksop, coupled with dropped points for Ashton at Basford, would be enough to mathematically confirm home advantage.
Third-placed Guiseley could take a step closer to securing their own top-five berth with three points away at Warrington Rylands. The Lions have won just one of their last five games on the road, while Neil Reynolds' Blues have endured a difficult season at home, winning just six of their 18 league games at the Hive Arena.
The final games of the weekend see Gainsborough Trinity host Prescot Cables and Hyde United welcome relegated Blyth Spartans to the Project Solar Stadium. Gainsborough and Prescot could strength their top-half position with a win in their encounter, although the play-offs will likely remain out of reach. The same can be said for Hyde, who are heavy favourites against a Spartans side currently under interim management following the resignation of Michael Connor
Fixtures - Saturday 5 April
- Basford United vs Ashton United
- Gainsborough Trinity vs Prescot Cables
- Hebburn Town vs Ilkeston Town
- Hyde United vs Blyth Spartans
- Lancaster City vs Whitby Town
- Leek Town vs Bamber Bridge
- Macclesfield vs Workington
- Matlock Town vs Morpeth Town
- Mickleover vs FC United of Manchester
- Stockton Town vs Worksop Town
- Warrington Rylands vs Guiseley
Last edited by Matchman (04/4/2025 9:38 PM)
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