NPL preview | Unbeaten starts on the line as early frontrunners clash

One of the games of the round will come at Cantilever Park, where Warrington Town play host to Cleethorpes Town.

Both sides come into this one having won their opening two matches of the season. 

A 3-0 win over Hyde United on Tuesday night leaves the home side fourth in the table, while Cleethorpes sit top of the pile on goal difference after a 5-0 thrashing of Quorn in midweek.

The two last met in WA4 on the opening day of last season, and while that one ended goalless, both have shown enough in front of goal in their opening two games to suggest this weekend's clash may be slightly different.

With six points from a possible six to their name, Avro have made the ideal start to life at Step 3.

On Saturday, they travel to an Alfreton side that picked up their first points of the season on Tuesday night with a 2-1 victory over Gainsborough Trinity.

Third-placed Ashton United, meanwhile, will head to Lancashire to face Bamber Bridge, who are one of only four sides yet to pick up a point this season.

The Brig will be keen for an immediate response after being thrashed 6-1 at home by Avro in their last game, while Ashton maintained their perfect start with an impressive 1-0 win at Stockton Town.

The fifth and final 100% winning record belongs to Ilkeston Town, who make the 280-mile-round trip to Whitby Town on Saturday.

After coming from behind to win on the opening day, Whitby lost 2-0 at home to Guiseley on Tuesday and will be out to pick up their first win of the season at home this time around.  

Elsewhere, a big clash at Salford Van Hire Gigg Lane will see Bury host Warrington Rylands.

Bury have picked up four points from a possible six so far, overturning a half-time deficit in midweek to defeat Greater Manchester neighbours Curzon Ashton 3-2.

This time around, the Shakers will come up against a Blues side beaten for the first time this season by Lancaster City in midweek.

As for Curzon, they open up the weekend's action on Friday night away at Emley, who have one point to show from their opening two games.

At Farley Way, two newcomers to the division go head-to-head as Quorn come up against Redcar Athletic.

Quorn have yet to pick up a point since being moved laterally to the NPL Premier Division, while Redcar scored a dramatic 96th minute in midweek to pick up their first win of the campaign at Workington, maintaining their unbeaten start in the process.

In a bid to overcome the disappointment of defeat in their opening game at the Fibrus Community Stadium, Workington will have an immediate chance to make amends as Guiseley visit Cumbria this weekend.

The Lions managed to get off the mark on Tuesday night, with Aaron Martin's second-half double seeing them past Whitby.

Two sides from Greater Manchester that have started the season with one point from a possible six are Hyde United and FC United of Manchester.

Both will be out in search of their first win this weekend, with Hyde travelling to Lancaster and FC United welcoming Gainsborough Trinity to Broadhurst Park.

The final game of the weekend sees Stockton and Leek Town meet at the MAP Group UK Stadium.

Beaten play-off semi-finalists last season, Stockton have yet to claim a point this time around after falling to consecutive 1-0 defeats. Leek are only one point better off, after they conceded in second-half stoppage time and were forced to settle for a point away at FC United on Tuesday night.

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

Fixtures - Friday 14 August

• Emley vs Curzon Ashton (7:45pm)

Fixtures - Saturday 15 August

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

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