news

NPL round-up | FC United return top and Stockton reclaim play-off spot in first half of Easter double-header

The Easter weekend kicked off with a bang in the NPL Premier Division.

FC United of Manchester returned to the top of the table, taking advantage of Hebburn Town’s bye round. They won for a fifth straight game away at Whitby Town on Good Friday, prevailing 3-1.

It was the late show again for Mark Beesley’s side, who were level with the Seasiders going into the final five minutes after Jay Fitzmartin’s early opener was cancelled out in the second half by Jake Charles.

But goals from Jordan Buckley and Andre Wisdom ensured the three points came back with FC United, who are now one point clear at the top with a game in hand.

Hednesford Town also gained ground on Hebburn too, drawing level on points with them after a routine 3-0 win over Prescot Cables.

The Pitmen were 2-0 up before Remi Efunnuga was dismissed for Cables, and Jake Jervis added the third in the final 10 minutes to bring an end to their brief two-game winless run ahead of a massive trip to the league leaders on Monday.

As for Cables, they’re now 11 games without a win, and they know they’ll remain in the drop zone for the rest of the weekend, given they do not play again over the Easter weekend.

In the race for the top five, Stockton Town prevailed against Gainsborough Trinity to climb above them into the final play-off spot.

Jake Petitjean’s goal minutes out from half-time proved the difference, extending the Holy Blues’ winless run to four games and moving two points clear of them in fifth, with a game in hand too.

This meant that Warrington Rylands’ play-off place is finally in their own hands after weeks of being a few points ahead, but having played more games. They’re now five points clear of Gainsborough after a 3-0 win over Workington on Saturday.

Harrison Wood, Ben Hardcastle and Charlie Munro were on target to hand the Reds a rare defeat - just their second of the calendar year.

Billy Barr’s side remain three points clear of the drop zone though, as only one side in the bottom seven picked up any points during part one of the Easter double-header.

That was Hyde United, who drew 1-1 with Guiseley on Saturday at Nethermoor, pushing them one point clear of danger.

Stocksbridge Park Steels were unable to move out of the relegation zone on Thursday night before everyone else played, as Cleethorpes Town triumphed 2-1 to extend their winning run to three matches.

Alex O’Connor pulled Jordan Lemon’s side back level in the second half, after Joe Ackroyd had put the Owls in front. However, there was parity for just two minutes as Cleethorpes immediately restored their lead through Jack Vann.

Cleethorpes continue their late play-off surge with the win, and are now five points removed from the top five.

Just ahead of them and four points off Stockton are Lancaster City, who swept aside Morpeth Town at the Giant Axe on Good Friday.

Steven Yawson netted inside the opening minute, and then doubled his tally 16 minutes later. A Morpeth own-goal in the second half condemned Craig Lynch’s side to a 3-0 defeat, ensuring they remain in the drop zone.

Rushall Olympic were unable to pull away, and they remain two points above Prescot thanks to a 2-1 defeat away at Ashton United.

With the game goalless heading into the final 20 minutes, James Hardy gave Steve Cunningham’s side the lead, before the Pics thought they snatched a point in stoppage time through Osazo Okuonghae.

However, Callum Spooner’s first goal in a Robins shirt in the 95th minute snatched all three points back, moving Ashton into the top 10 and condemning the Pics to a second straight defeat, extending their winless run to eight.

The game of the weekend so far arguably came at Harrison Park, where Leek Town won a five-goal thriller against Bamber Bridge.

Lucas Weir netted the winner with 20 minutes left to all-but-mathematically confirm safety for Josh Brehaut’s side, in-turn handing the Brig a fifth defeat in their last six games.

And the mid-table clash between Ilkeston Town and Warrington Town on Saturday ended 1-1, after Daniel Odunaiya cancelled out Kallan Murphy’s early opener for the Yellows.

Results - Thursday 2 April