NPL preview | Local derbies headline Bank Holiday Monday schedule

League leaders Cleethorpes Town travel to high-flying Gainsborough Trinity in one of the picks of the games on Matchday 8 as far as the league table is concerned.

Craig Rouse’s side will look to bounce back at the first opportunity, having suffered their first loss of the season to Curzon Ashton last time out. 

A 3-1 loss leaves them only top of the table on goal difference now, and they’ll face another stern test in Lincolnshire.

The Holy Blues sit three points behind them in sixth following a 2-1 win on the road against Ashton United on the weekend.

Monday sees Ashton travel to the in-form Curzon Ashton, who have won two in a row on the road, while FC United of Manchester visit Avro in the second of two Manchester derbies.

It has been a tale of contrasting fortunes for the two sides so far. Avro sit second in the table with Mark Beesley’s FC United rooted to the bottom. 

The Ro clinched their fifth win in six over Stockton Town last time out, while last season’s play-off semi-finalists are still yet to register a victory. They appeared destined to clinch a point against Redcar Athletic on Saturday before Adam Boyes’ late winner sealed victory for the Steelmen.

Over at the Project Solar Stadium, the final Manchester derby sees Hyde United entertain high-flying Bury. 

The hosts have achieved mixed results to sit 15th on eight points, while Anthony Johnson’s Bury sit fifth on their return to Step 3. 

The Shakers delivered a statement performance last time out, drubbing Ilkeston Town 7-0 at Salford Van Hire Gigg Lane.

Hoping to maintain their status as the only unbeaten side in the division are third-placed Redcar Athletic, who travel to lowly Stockton Town. 

Michael Dunwell’s Stockton side sit in 20th place with a solitary win against Alfreton Town thus far, while Redcar will go in search of a win which could see them end Bank Holiday Monday top of the table depending on the afternoon’s other results.

Another newly-promoted side who continue to impress are 10th-placed Emley, who host Guiseley in a Yorkshire derby. 

It will be another tough test for Richard Tracey’s side, who drew 2-2 with high-flying Warrington Town on Saturday to maintain their unbeaten start on the road.

The Lions are in great form of their own to sit seventh. Despite a disappointing 2-1 defeat at home to Lancaster City last time out. Ian Richards’ charges are yet to lose away from home so far, with two wins and a draw to their name. 

The aforementioned Lancaster face off against Workington, hoping to build on the momentum of two successive away wins which have lifted them to 13th in the table. 

Visitors Workington sit just above them on goal difference following three hard-fought victories on the spin. Billy Barr’s side started the 2026/27 campaign poorly, but are now brimming with confidence after a hat-trick of one-goal wins.

Bidding to right the wrongs of their recent thrashing at Bury, 17th-placed Ilkeston host fellow strugglers Quorn, with both sides desperate for three points. 

Tris Whitman’s Ilkeston side have failed to win any of their last five games, leaving them just a point above the drop zone. 

The visitors have struggled to an even greater degree, failing to win any of their first seven in the league - including a dismal 6-3 loss to Whitby Town on Saturday.

In another battle of struggling sides at Gorsey Lane, Warrington Rylands entertain Bamber Bridge as the Blues go in search of a first win in four. 

Last season’s beaten play-off finalists languish in 16th with seven points at the time of writing, while Jamie Milligan’s Brig are a point below in 19th. 

Despite their shaky start, the visitors can take pride in a fantastic comeback last time out, as two late penalties from Archie Lang secured an unbelievable 4-4 draw against Hyde United at Irongate.

After fighting back from two heavy losses with a 6-3 victory against Quorn, Whitby are vying for a fourth win of the campaign against Alfreton Town. 

Their visitors sit level on points in 13th following some mixed results on their return to the NPL. The Reds are yet to register a point away from home, losing all three away games in the division this term.

Playing a day later on Tuesday evening, Leek Town host Warrington Town at the F. Ball Community Stadium. 

Josh Brehaut’s side come into Matchday 8 18th in the table having won only one game so far. 

The Staffordshire club will have been bitterly disappointed to relinquish a 4-2 lead at Avro in midweek, ending up with a point, before losing to Workington on Saturday.

As for the Yellows, who lie fourth, they will be motivated to keep pressure on early frontrunners Cleethorpes. 

Paul Carden’s side conceded an 84th minute equaliser to draw 2-2 with Emley on Saturday, following on from the disappointment of a first loss of the season to Curzon Ashton a game prior. Away from home so far, the Yellows have secured a perfect nine points from nine, hitting five without reply at Whitby in their previous foray on the road.

All games will kick off at 3pm, unless stated otherwise.

Fixtures - Monday 31 August

• Curzon Ashton vs Ashton United
• Emley vs Guiseley
• FC United of Manchester vs Avro
• Gainsborough Trinity vs Cleethorpes Town
• Hyde United vs Bury
• Ilkeston Town vs Quorn
• Lancaster City vs Workington
• Stockton Town vs Redcar Athletic
• Warrington Rylands vs Bamber Bridge
• Whitby Town vs Alfreton Town

Fixtures - Tuesday 1 September

• Leek Town vs Warrington Town (7:45pm)

Check out the latest fixtures and results from across the NPL East Division, NPL Midlands Division and NPL West Division.