NPL preview | Workington travel to Hyde and Rylands host FC United in massive six-pointers at both ends of the table

At the Project Solar Stadium, Workington have eyes on climbing out of the drop zone for the first time since the opening weeks of the campaign when they take on Hyde United.

The Reds have been transformed in 2026, making Borough Park a fortress. However, they haven’t won away from home since November 1st, drawing their last five on the road.

If they can turn those draws into a win this time round, they’ll climb above Hyde and, if other results go their way, could find themselves out of the relegation zone.

As for Michael Clegg’s side, they were unable to take advantage of their game in hand in midweek, losing against Gainsborough Trinity. 

Now, just goal difference separates them from a place in the drop zone, and they’ll be seeing this as a must-win, or at least one where they do not lose.

Then, at the top, fourth takes on third as Warrington Rylands host FC United of Manchester.

Mark Beesley’s side comes into this one off the back of three straight wins, with their title bid increasing off the back of it. A win here would tighten their grip on a place in the top three at least, as they’d move eight clear of Ryalnds with a fourth successive victory.

Rylands suffered a rare defeat the last time they played at the Quckline Arena, and they won’t want to make it back-to-back, especially with both Stockton Town and Gainsborough holding games in hand to climb above and dump them out of the top five altogether.

A win won’t just keep their slim title hopes alive, but also ensure that those below are kept at arm’s length.

Elsewhere, league leaders Hebburn Town are searching for a return to winning ways when they welcome relegation-battling Prescot Cables to the Hebburn Sports Ground.

A goalless draw at Warrington Town last time out saw the Hornets’ points gap to Hednesford Town in second evaporate, with just goal difference now separating the two sides.

Cables come into this one off the back of three successive draws, so Hebburn will be hopeful that Steven Daley’s men cannot continue that streak at their expense, as it could lead them to relinquish their top spot.

FC United could climb above Hebburn, but Hednesford stand to be the side to benefit from any dropped points, if they can continue their winning run against bottom-club Stocksbridge Park Steels.

Stocksbridge’s home form is the worst in the division, and with the Pitmen coming into this one on a three-game winning run, they’ll be the favourites to continue their chase for top spot.

However, a big win for Park Steels would be just their fourth at Bracken Moor this season and would give them a massive boost in this tight relegation battle.

Also, Gainsborough climbed back into the final play-off spot with Tuesday’s win over Hyde, and they’ll be aiming to stay there and win back-to-back for the first time since January when they head to Rushall Olympic.

The Pics have kept those below them in the relegation battle at arm’s length, having just lost one of their last six, but four draws in that time have stopped them from opening up a real points gap.

Currently, they’re four points above the drop, and will hope that they can pick up a massive win against a promotion-hopeful to extend that gap.

Morpeth Town currently occupy that final place in the relegation zone, and are level on points with both Hyde ahead of them, and Workington behind them. 

Therefore, they know that a win against an out-of-form Bamber Bridge side will see them climb out of danger this weekend.

The Brig are winless in six games, but will see the visit of a side with 12 defeats in their 16 away league games this season as a good way to get back on track and reignite their play-off hopes.

In a battle between the sides in sixth and eighth, Warrington Town’s hopes for a late run into the play-offs can be given a massive boost if they can leave Stockton Town with all three points.

The Yellows can cut the points gap to just two with a win, albeit with the Anchors holding two games in hand over them. 

As it stands, Michael Dunwell’s side have a top-five spot in their hands, but will need to keep winning games to put themselves in a position to leapfrog Rylands when those games come.

Lancaster City will be hoping to finally string a couple of victories together after alternating between wins and losses for the last six games. 

If they can take all three points against Cleethorpes Town, they could be as little as one point removed from a place in the top five, if other results go their way.

The Owls are on a four-game unbeaten run, with two wins and two draws. It’s taken them safely away from any relegation danger, but it would take an almighty run to make a late dash towards the play-offs.

The same can be said for both Ashton United and Ilkeston Town, the two sides either side of Cleethorpes in the table. 

They’ll have a top-10 finish in their sights, though, and Ilkeston can move just one point behind Steve Cunningham’s side, who currently occupy 10th, with a win in the battle of the Robins.

And, with back-to-back defeats, Whitby Town will be wary of engaging in any relegation battles come the end of the campaign, as they’re now just five points clear of the drop, having played their games in hand.

A return to winning ways at Guiseley would see the Seasiders climb above their hosts, putting them even closer to safety.

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

Fixtures - Saturday 21 March

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

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