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NPL preview | New leaders Hebburn face basement side Workington as relegation battlers lock horns

The second half of the season is in full swing in the NPL Premier Division, and after capturing top spot on Tuesday night, Hebburn Town will be wanting to ensure that their stay lasts more than a few days.

Daniel Moore’s side will look to win their third straight game, and pick up a 12th victory in 13, when they travel to basement side Workington.

The Reds have had an upturn in performances in 2026. They’ve drawn all three of their games this calendar year, and almost toppled FC United of Manchester in their last game a week-and-a-half ago.

However, they’ll need to be on top form to take anything from a ruthless Hebburn side who now have top spot to defend after weeks of chasing down Hednesford Town.

The now second-placed Pitmen are back at home and will be looking for back-to-back league wins for the first time since the end of November when they take on Leek Town.

Five points in the last four games have helped Josh Brehaut’s Leek side form a points barrier between themselves and the drop zone, and they’ll come into this one with some confidence.

However, they’ll be facing an uphill task at Keys Park in their bid to try and go three games unbeaten.

The other featured game of the weekend comes down at the bottom. The two sides currently sat above the drop zone in 17th and 18th face off, with Rushall Olympic travelling to Hyde United.

Hyde climbed out of the relegation zone in midweek thanks to a 2-2 draw against Leek, but that extended their current winless run to 10 games.

The Pics have won two and lost two alternatively in their last four games. If that pattern is to be an indication of Saturday’s result, Ian Long’s side may be leaving Ewen Fields with all three points.

The loser of that game could drop into the relegation zone, but only if one of the two sides immediately below them picks up positive results themselves in tough games.

First, Morpeth Town, who slipped back into the relegation zone thanks to Hyde’s point on Tuesday night, host third-placed FC United of Manchester.

The Highwaymen have lost each of their last three against sides in the top 10, but FC United themselves are in the midst of a rough patch of form, winning just once in their last five and needing late flurries to rescue a point from two goals down in each their last two games.

Morpeth have lost just one of their last seven league games at Craik Park, and could perhaps fancy themselves for some points at FC United’s expense.

And if results go their way, Stocksbridge Park Steels could climb out of the drop zone for the first time since early November if they pick up what would be a massive result against Bamber Bridge.

Jamie Milligan’s side have won three of their last four, however, and know that a win on their travels against the side with the worst home record in the division this season would see them continue their play-off charge which has steadily built momentum during the second half of the campaign.

Further towards the top five, Warrington Rylands will look to back up an impressive win last weekend against Guiseley when they travel to Ashton United.

Steve Cunningham’s side ran in-form Hebburn all the way to the end last Saturday, despite being down to 10 men, and they’ll be hoping for a similar gritty performance with a result to match this time around.

Guiseley are looking to bounce back from that defeat against Rylands when they take on another side currently in the play-offs, Stockton Town.

Both teams were on winning runs before tasting defeat last weekend. Michael Dunwell’s side will be eager to get back on track and keep within touching distance of top spot, of which they are now nine points behind.

Stockton’s place in the play-offs is secure this weekend, regardless of results elsewhere, as they hold a four-point gap over sixth-placed Gainsborough Trinity.

With two games in hand, they’ll look to keep within touching distance of the top five so they can climb in when those games arrive.

A win over Whitby Town would extend their current run to three straight victories, while in turn handing Gary Liddle’s side a third consecutive defeat.

Warrington Town are also four points behind Stockton, and they host Prescot Cables, who have won two of their last three to establish a three-point buffer between themselves and the drop zone.

Six of the last nine games for Paul Carden’s side have ended level, including four of the last five. Meanwhile, Ste Daley’s side is the only one to have drawn 10 games in the division so far this season.

Nothing could separate the two at Valerie Park in September, with the Yellows coming from a goal down to earn a 1-1 draw.

And finally, Cleethorpes Town will hope to end a brief two-game losing run a when they host Ilkeston Town.

Ian Deakin’s side have won three of their last six and have shot up into the top 10 as a result. However, a win for Craig Rouse’s Owls would see them jump above their opponents in the table.

All games are set to kick off at 3pm, unless stated otherwise.

Fixtures - Saturday 24 January