NPL preview | Top two on the road as high-flying duo collide

League leaders Cleethorpes face a tough trip to Derbyshire to face Ilkeston Town, while second-placed Warrington Town travel to Whitby Town, who have achieved mixed results with two wins and two defeats so far.

As for Redcar Athletic, who lie in sixth, they are tasked with a trip to last season’s beaten play-off finalists Warrington Rylands. 

Neil Reynolds’ side began the campaign with a resounding 3-0 win at FC United of Manchester, yet stuttered with losses against Lancaster City and Bury before beating Quorn last time out.

Keen to bounce back from a dramatic 3-2 defeat at Guiseley on Tuesday night, where they led 2-0 inside seven minutes, Anthony Johnson’s Bury face a tough trip to Gainsborough Trinity. 

The Holy Blues sit third with nine points and a solitary loss so far, scoring seven in their last two games against FC United of Manchester and Stockton Town alone. 

With many backing them for the title following back-to-back promotions, Bury will have been bitterly disappointed to see their momentum stalled after letting such a comfortable lead slip last time out. 

In yet another Manchester derby at the Project Solar Stadium, Hyde United will look to climb into the play-off spots by beating Avro. 

The Tigers clinched a dramatic 1-0 win over local rivals FC United courtesy of a stoppage-time Taylor McMahon winner on Tuesday, while Avro have started strongly in their first-ever campaign at Step 3. Grant Shenton’s side sit in fourth position having beaten Quorn, Bamber Bridge and Workington thus far.

Over at the Fantastic Media Welfare Ground, another newly-promoted side in Emley host the well-fancied Ashton United. 

Richard Tracey’s side have not been overwhelmed by the step up in quality, having claimed seven points from their opening four games.

But Steve Cunningham’s side are sure to properly test them. The Robins secured a whole host of notable signings over the summer - a decision that has paid dividends with their positive returns in the early stages. With victories against Lancaster City, Stockton and Whitby last time out, their only blemish is a narrow loss at Bamber Bridge last weekend.

Adjusting to life back at Step 3 after suffering relegation last season, Curzon Ashton have started slowly but will hope to build some momentum with a second victory at home to Guiseley. 

Two defeats and a draw have followed that opening day win against Alfreton, while their opponents will be riding a huge wave of confidence after their comeback win over Bury just a few days ago. Amongst Guiseley’s arsenal is forward Aaron Martin, who bagged a brace against the Shakers and leads the early Golden Boot race with five goals.

At the bottom end of the table, both Leek Town and Quorn will go in search of their first win of the season as they face Lancaster City and Bamber Bridge respectively. 

Josh Brehaut’s Leek side have struggled for form despite winning their final six games of the 2025/26 season, picking up two points thus far. 

As for Bamber Bridge, who sit 16th, they can be buoyed by a draw with Curzon and victory against Ashton that have followed back-to-back losses to start the campaign. Jamie Milligan’s men were thumped 6-1 by Avro in their first outing of the season at home, but have responded impressively since. 

In the north-east, last season’s play-off semi-finalists Stockton host Alfreton as they continue their hunt for a first win of the campaign. 

Jake Buxton’s visitors have won consecutive matches against Gainsborough Trinity and Avro - a perfect response to successive losses at the start of the campaign. 

Another intriguing battle between 20th and 22nd comes at the Fibrus Community Stadium as Workington and FC United prepare to do battle.

Billy Barr’s men survived on the penultimate game of last season whereas Mark Beesley’s United narrowly missed out on promotion to the National League North, but both remain winless after four games and will hope to go in search of a victory which would kick-start their season.

Lastly at the Giant Axe, Lancaster City host Leicestershire-based Quorn. 

Lancaster find themselves 17th in the table with one win so far. However, the Methodists have fared even worse and a solitary point against Redcar on Matchday 2 leaves them lingering in 21st place.

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

Fixtures - Saturday 22 August

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

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