NPL preview | New era begins for Avro as league leaders hit the road

And for Avro, it marks the beginning of a new era as the newly-appointed Lewis Hardcastle takes charge of the club for the first time.

Hardcastle's first assignment is a trip to basement side Ilkeston Town - also under new management following the appointment of  Ryan Hindley, and keen to end an eight-game losing run in the league.

A win on Saturday would see Avro climb up to third in the table and above Guiseley, who are one of three NPL Premier Division sides in FA Cup action.

At the top of the table sit Redcar Athletic, whose next assignment takes them to Ashton United.

Victory for the Steelmen would see them move four points clear at the top of the table.

The Robins, meanwhile, have won just three league games so far. They are currently in the midst of an eight-game winless run in the NPL.

No game for fifth-placed Warrington Rylands this Saturday provides an opportunity for four teams to climb above them this weekend, potentially pushing the Blues out of the play-off spots as a result.

Immediately below them are Gainsborough Trinity, who will go in search of a fourth straight league win when they welcome Hyde United to Lincolnshire.

A run of one win in six has left Hyde sat in a mid-table position, but they can take heart in the fact that their next opponents have lost three of their last four at home.

For seventh-placed Curzon Ashton, Saturday presents an opportunity to respond to a 5-1 thrashing at Rylands which saw their run of six league wins in a row come to an abrupt halt in midweek.

This weekend, Curzon travel to a Whitby Town side that have won one and drawn one of their first two games under new boss Graeme Lee.

Rylands' cross-town rivals, Warrington Town, are another who are on the road during the latest round of fixtures.

The Yellows make the trip to Alfreton Town, hoping to extend a fine run of away league form which has yielded five wins from six games away from The GXO Stadium.

Victory would take Paul Carden's side into the top seven, and potentially as high as fourth in the table depending on other results.

Another intriguing game coming up this weekend sees Bamber Bridge welcome an out-of-sorts Workington to Irongate.

The Brig sit third-bottom after a run of just one league win in 10, but making their way to Lancashire this weekend are a Workington side hoping to end a four-game winless slump which has seen them fall down the table.

Defeat for Billy Barr's side would provide the aforementioned Alfreton with an opportunity to move above them with a win, as well as Lancaster City.

The 10th-placed Dolly Blues welcome Leek Town to The Giant Axe, as they bid to make it three home league wins on the spin.

Leek are three matches unbeaten on the road in the NPL, however, and know that a poor result this weekend could see them fall into the bottom four as a result.

The sides either side of the Blues in the table, Stockton Town and Emley, will do battle in the final NPL Premier Division clash of the round.

With a significantly inferior goal difference, a win will be required for Emley to escape the relegation zone on Saturday.

Stockton have shown signs of encouragement of late, winning two of five in the league, and will hope to pull further clear of the drop zone with a big performance in the north-east.

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

Fixtures - Saturday 17 October

• Alfreton Town vs Warrington Town
• Ashton United vs Redcar Athletic
• Bamber Bridge vs Workington
• Gainsborough Trinity vs Hyde United
• Ilkeston Town vs Avro
• Lancaster City vs Leek Town
• Stockton Town vs Emley
• Whitby Town vs Curzon Ashton
   

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