NPL Round-up | Owls move three points clear as Curzon Ashton earn huge victory

Liam Hughes opened the scoring at the HPS Plant Hire Stadium, before braces from James Blunden and Josh Walker extended the Owls’ dominance on home turf. Marley Wilson’s stoppage-time finish then sealed the emphatic triumph, ending a miserable few days for Lee Bullock’s side.

The visitors sit 17th after three successive defeats without scoring a goal, including a 5-0 loss to Warrington Town in their previous outing at home.

Trailing the Owls on goal difference prior to last night’s fixtures, Paul Carden’s Warrington Town lost ground on the league leaders following a humbling 4-0 defeat at home to Curzon Ashton - their first loss of an impressive start to the 2026/27 campaign.

Forward Alex Curran opened the scoring inside 12 minutes, before a penalty from Harvey Roberts and a late double from Ola Lawal, which included a sublime overhead effort, confirmed a first away victory of the season for the Nash. It is also their first victory of the campaign since the opening day against Alfreton Town, moving them up to 11th in the table.

The same can be said for Lancaster City, who delivered their first victory on the road against a highly-touted Bury side at Salford Van Hire Gigg Lane. 

Steven Yawson’s composed finish in the 10th minute was enough to separate the two sides, moving the Dolly Blues up to 13th in the table. Defeat for the Shakers, however, means they drop behind Gainsborough Trinity in the final play-off spot on goal difference.

The aforementioned Trinity earned a point in a hard-fought 2-2 draw at Quorn, while Guiseley climbed to second with a third victory in a row. Ian Richards’ side delivered a comprehensive display to defeat a struggling Stockton Town side 3-0 at Nethermoor Park. 

Cameron Wilson opened their account in the 34th minute, before Amir Berchil’s finish and a lovely flick from Elliot Owen rounded off the scoring. The Anchors, on the contrary, sit 20th following their fourth defeat of the campaign.

Earning their second win on the spin after a difficult start to the season, Workington produced a second-half comeback to defeat Warrington Rylands at the Fibrus Community Stadium. 

An early goal from Benjamin Hardcastle gave the Blues the lead, but they were reduced to 10 men after George Waring was shown a straight red card for an off-the-ball incident.

Despite this, the visitors extended their lead after a 50th-minute strike from Harrison Wood; however, Billy Barr’s side refused to give up. Kai Nugent’s clinical finish started the comeback, before Isaac Whitehall’s stunning free-kick and a late goal from substitute Joshua Palmer (88) completed the turnaround. 

Rylands' woes were further compounded in the final knockings of the game, as they finished the game with nine men following Ben Hardcastle’s red card for a challenge.

The Reds climb to 12th following a first win at the new stadium, while Rylands slump to 16th after back-to-back defeats.

Over at Irongate, hosts Bamber Bridge secured a point with bottom-placed FC United of Manchester. Jordan Buckley opened the scoring inside five minutes for the visitors, rifling past Gospel-Eze in the Brig net, before a second-half penalty from Cameron Ferguson was enough to share the spoils. 

Jamie Milligan’s side are languishing in 19th, having picked up five points from six fixtures. As for FC United, they remain rooted to the bottom without a win on two points.

In a battle of newly-promoted sides at Green Lane, Redcar Athletic extended their unbeaten start with a goalless draw against Emley. The Steelmen are fourth ahead of FC United’s visit on Saturday, whereas Emley are a point adrift of the play-offs in 10th.

Bouncing back from successive defeats on the road to Cleethorpes and Stockton Town, Jake Buxton’s Alfreton Town gave their home fans plenty to smile about with a crushing 4-0 victory against Hyde United. Samuel Parker, Dylan Youmbi, Siyabonga Ligendza and Charlie Finney were on the scoresheet for the Reds, who have won all three of their home fixtures so far (while losing every away game). 

The Tigers, however, drop to 15th following successive defeats of their own.

Lastly, over at Hurst Cross, hosts Ashton United maintained their spot in the play-off positions with a 1-1 draw against Ilkeston Town. Dan Turner’s close-range header opened the scoring just before half-time, but Ash Hunter’s 76th-minute equaliser was enough to seal a point for the visitors. Tris Whitman’s side rise to 14th after a positive response to successive losses.

The final game of the midweek schedule takes place tonight at the Vestacare Stadium, where Avro host Leek Town. Grant Shenton’s side can move to second on their maiden campaign at Step 3, while visitors Leek will look to secure a first away win of the season. The Blues will be high on confidence having beaten Bamber Bridge 4-1 in their last outing. 

Results- Tuesday 25 August

• Alfreton Town 4-0 Hyde United
• Ashton United 1-1 Ilkeston Town
• Bamber Bridge 1-1 FC United of Manchester
• Bury 0-1 Lancaster City
• Cleethorpes Town 6-0 Whitby Town
• Guiseley 3-0 Stockton Town
• Quorn 2-2 Gainsborough Trinity
• Redcar Athletic 0-0 Emley
• Warrington Town 0-4 Curzon Ashton
• Workington 3-2 Warrington Rylands

Wednesday 26 August

• Avro v Leek Town (19:45)

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