NPL preview | Play-off chasers go to battle as race for promotion intensifies

Table-topping Hebburn Town will hope to make it 13 wins in 14 games when they host relegation-threatened Stocksbridge Park Steels.

Stocksbridge have alternated between wins and losses in their last four games, and having fallen to defeat last time out, they’ll be keen to bounce back again. 

However, they face a tough task in doing so against a Hornets side who have been ruthless in their pursuit of top spot, and are keen to keep hold of it.

Looking to usurp Hebburn if they do slip up are Hednesford Town, who themselves have a trickier task on paper in their pursuit of a third straight win, as they travel to Gainsborough Trinity.

Postponements in the last week increased the number of games in hand that Russ Wilcox’s side have on the rest of the division. Now, they’re five points off the play-offs, but having played as many as four games fewer than the teams currently occupying a top-five spot. 

A win against the side currently in second place would ensure they stay within touching distance to capitalise when the games come around and put themselves firmly in the promotion picture.

FC United of Manchester are looking to keep in touch with the top two and bounce back from a disappointing defeat last time out at Morpeth Town. This weekend, they travel to Rushall Olympic.

The Pics haven’t been able to put a string of league victories together since a three-game winning run in August. After picking up a big three points last weekend against Hyde United, they’ll be hoping to finally create another winning streak, in-turn extending FC United’s winless run to four.

Speaking of Hyde, Michael Clegg takes charge of his first game at Ewen Fields against a Warrington Rylands side who have lost each of their last two games.

Neil Reynolds' side were well beaten in midweek by Prescot Cables, and Hyde will be looking to compound their misery and put an end to their 11-game winless run.

That win could see the Tigers climb out of the drop zone, but only if Morpeth fail to pick up points at home to Guiseley.

The Highwaymen have been solid at Craik Park for a few months now, winning six of the last nine league games in front of their home fans.

There have been few worries about being dragged into a relegation scrap at Guiseley under Ian Richards. However, a win for Morpeth here would cut the gap between the two sides to just one point.

Just below Guiseley are Cleethorpes Town, who may also be looking slightly over their shoulders if they fall to defeat away at Stockton Town.

After picking up just one point in their last two games, the Anchors will be looking to get back to winning ways and strengthen their grip on the final play-off spot, especially given that they know one of the two sides below them could be making up points.

Indeed, sixth-placed Warrington Town host seventh-placed Bamber Bridge, and a win for Paul Carden’s side could see them climb into the play-offs if results elsewhere go their way.

No side in the division is on a longer unbeaten run than Warrington, who have gone seven games since they last fell to defeat. But after six wins in eight, the Brig are keen to keep their own momentum going and cut the gap between themselves and the top five.

With four points currently separating Bamber Bridge and Stockton, Jamie Milligan’s side can’t climb into the play-offs this weekend, but their chances can be bolstered significantly if they pick up a third straight win.

And in another match-up between two sides on the periphery of the play-offs, Lancaster City host Ashton United.

A two-week break came at a perfect time for Lancaster, who needed to regroup after picking up just one point in their last five games and falling out of the top five altogether as a result.

The Dolly Blues are now level on points with Steve Cunningham’s side, and both will be looking for a big three points to stay in touch with the teams above

Towards the bottom, Prescot Cables will be looking to build on their impressive win over Warrington Rylands as they take on basement club Workington.

The Reds are 10 points removed from safety, having not won since early November, and need all the points they can get to mount a great escape in the final few months of the campaign.

As for Ste Daley’s side, they can go as many as eight points clear of the drop zone with a win.

And Leek Town will also be looking to keep their distance between themselves and the relegation zone as they travel to Ilkeston Town.

Ian Deakin’s side have been on top form since they flirted with the drop in mid-December, losing just one of their last seven games.

Leek, on the other hand, have won just one of their last eight in the league, but will hope to make it two wins in four this weekend.

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

Fixtures - Saturday 31 January

• Gainsborough Trinity vs Hednesford Town
• Hebburn Town vs Stocksbridge Park Steels
• Hyde United vs Warrington Rylands
• Ilkeston Town vs Leek Town
• Lancaster City vs Ashton United
• Morpeth Town vs Guiseley
• Prescot Cables vs Workington
• Rushall Olympic vs FC United of Manchester
• Stockton Town vs Cleethorpes Town
• Warrington Town vs Bamber Bridge

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