NPL preview | Four teams look to maintain unbeaten starts in full midweek schedule
There are plenty of eye-catching fixtures to keep an eye on as we head into Matchday 4 in the NPL Premier Division.
To start, Hyde United host bottom side FC United of Manchester in a much-anticipated Greater Manchester derby.
Mark Beesley’s side will be looking for their first win of the season after claiming just one point from their opening three fixtures, while the Tigers will be looking for successive victories after an impressive 2-1 win at Lancaster City over the weekend.
Following Cleethorpes Town’s stoppage-time equaliser at Warrington Town on Saturday - a result that leaves them top of the table - the Owls welcome an Alfreton Town side looking for their third straight win.
The visitors could climb above the Owls with a win after bouncing back from an opening day defeat, while Cleethorpes have taken seven points from the nine on offer.
The aforementioned Warrington Town will look to continue their impressive start with a tough trip to Ilkeston Town, who sit just a point below, while fellow unbeaten sides and Step 3 newcomers Bury and Redcar Athletic face Guiseley and Lancaster City respectively.
Despite drawing with Redcar on the opening day at Green Lane, Anthony Johnson’s Bury side have illustrated why they are many people’s favourites for the title with consecutive home wins against Curzon Ashton and Warrington Rylands.
After losing to newly-promoted Emley last time out, Curzon will look to return to winning ways against Jamie Milligan’s Bamber Bridge, who defeated Ashton United on Saturday to claim their first points of the season.
Elsewhere on Tuesday night, Warrington Rylands host a Quorn side yet to win since their lateral move from the Southern League Premier Division Central.
Neil Reynolds’ Blues will hope a return to home soil can signal a change in fortunes, having suffered back-to-back defeats on the road last week.
With both sides on six points and separated only by goal difference in seventh and eighth place, Ashton United welcome Whitby Town to Hurst Cross.
That loss against Bamber Bridge stalled the momentum of the Robins’ perfect start, while Lee Bullock’s Whitby side responded perfectly to defeat against Guiseley seven days ago by overcoming Ilkeston Town 2-0 at home on Saturday.
Over at the KAL Group Stadium, Gainsborough Trinity face 19th-placed Stockton Town as they look to ride the momentum of a crushing 3-0 victory at FC United last time out.
The visitors from the north-east have struggled for form in the opening stages of the season, picking up their only point against Leek Town on Saturday.
Losing their first game to Whitby Town and drawing both fixtures since, Leek meet Emley at the F. Ball Community Stadium, vying for a first win of the season in the first competitive meeting between the two sides.
Josh Brehaut’s men will be desperate to recapture the confidence shown during the latter weeks of the 2025/26 campaign, when they won their final six games.
The visitors, led by Richard Tracey, ensured promotion from the NPL East Division via the play-offs after defeating Bradford (Park Avenue) on penalties. Their maiden win at Step 3 against Curzon featured goals from Diego De Girolamo and Charlie Barks as the contest ended 2-1, leaving them 12th in the table with four points.
Playing a day later on Wednesday night, another promoted side in Avro play host to Workington.
It has been a contrast in fortunes for both sides so far, with Avro positioned in the play-offs after two wins from their opening three games and Workington in 20th, still seeking a first victory.
The Ro have shown little signs of nerves playing at a higher level, beating Quorn on the opening day before thumping Bamber Bridge 6-1 three days later - despite losing to Alfreton Town last time out.
As for Billy Barr’s Reds, they will be determined to avoid a repeat of last season where they managed to survive from the brink of almost-certain relegation.
All games will kick off at 7:45pm, unless stated otherwise.
Fixtures - Tuesday 18 August
- Ashton United vs Whitby Town
- Cleethorpes Town vs Alfreton Town
- Curzon Ashton vs Bamber Bridge
- Gainsborough Trinity vs Stockton Town
- Guiseley vs Bury
- Hyde United vs FC United of Manchester
- Ilkeston Town vs Warrington Town
- Leek Town vs Emley
- Redcar Athletic vs Lancaster City
- Warrington Rylands vs Quorn
Fixtures - Wednesday 19 August
- Avro vs Workington
Check out the latest fixtures and results from across the NPL East Division, NPL Midlands Division and NPL West Division.