NPL preview | Play-off rivals meet as FC United look to climb off the bottom
With plenty of FA Trophy action on the way this weekend, there are just three fixtures taking place in the NPL Premier Division.
The game of the weekend comes from The GXO Stadium, where Warrington Town face off against Gainsborough Trinity.
The pair come into Saturday's game seventh and fifth in the table respectively, but the Yellows know that three points on home soil would see them climb above the Holy Blues by a point.
Paul Carden's side will be eager to address some patchy home form which has seen them fail to win a league game at their own ground since a 3-0 victory over Hyde United back in August.
In the home league games which have followed, the Yellows are winless in five. And in each of the last three, they have trailed 1-0 then led 2-1, before being pegged back and forced to share the spoils in a 2-2 draw.
Gainsborough, meanwhile, have won each of their last four and are five games unbeaten on the road in the NPL.
Victory by two goals or more on Saturday would see Russ Wilcox's side climb to third in the table, within six points of league leaders Redcar Athletic.
There's also a big game towards the bottom this weekend as basement side FC United of Manchester welcome Whitby Town to Broadhurst Park.
FC United find themselves three points adrift at the foot of the table but would climb above second-bottom Ilkeston Town with a win, given their vastly superior goal difference.
FC United's sole win in the league this season remains a 4-1 victory at home to Warrington Town, and they'll be keen to claim another three points on home soil against a Whitby side that have enjoyed a mini-resurgence since Graeme Lee took charge.
A goalless draw in Lee's opening game, followed by successive league wins, mean Whitby have moved up the division in recent weeks. Victory on the road next up could see them climb as high as 10th by the end of the weekend.
The final game of the round is between Emley and Lancaster City.
Emley sit two points above the bottom four, having picked up four points from their last two games.
Another positive result and three points at home would see them move five points clear of the relegation zone.
Lancaster occupy a top-half position heading into the weekend, but Jimmy Marshall's side have won just one of their last four in the league and will be keen to avoid missing the chance to move within touching distance of the play-offs.
All games will kick off at 3pm, unless stated otherwise.
Fixtures - Saturday 24 October
- Emley vs Lancaster City
- FC United of Manchester vs Whitby Town
- Warrington Town vs Gainsborough Trinity
Check out the latest fixtures and results from across the NPL East Division, NPL Midlands Division and NPL West Division.