NPL round-up | Owls remain top as Avro win thrilling Manchester derby

Nonetheless, the story of a packed bank holiday Monday surely goes to second-placed Avro.

Grant Shenton’s side looked destined for their second loss of the season as they trailed 3-1 at FC United of Manchester with only 10 minutes left, however, three late goals ensured they walked away 4-3 winners to claim local bragging rights at Broadhurst Park. 

Taylor Dyson began the comeback with a magnificent free-kick into the top-right corner, before James Simms bagged the equaliser and Dyson scored his second with a cross come shot to complete the turnaround. 

It is a bitter pill to swallow for United in front of a home crowd, who are now the only side in the division yet to register a win. Mark Beesley’s men remain bottom on two points ahead of FA Cup action on the weekend.

Sitting one point beneath the Ro and leaders Cleethorpes are Redcar Athletic, the Step 3 newcomers continuing to impress at the higher level. The Steelmen secured their fifth win of 26/27 with a 2-0 triumph at struggling Stockton Town, thanks to second-half strikes from Curtis Round and Oscar Fletcher. 

This maintains their status as the only unbeaten team in the division, though it has been a tale of contrasting fortunes for the hosts. Michael Dunwell’s side are second-from-bottom on four points, losing three successive matches since their only win of the season on August 22.

Unable to build on a ruthless 7-0 victory against Ilkeston Town two days prior, Bury suffered a disappointing 2-1 loss to Hyde United in yet another Manchester derby. 

Radcliffe loanee Max McCarthy continued his great start to open the scoring for the Tigers in the 22nd minute, only for George Glendon’s shot to level the scoreline on the stroke of half-time. 

As both sides searched for a winner, hosts Hyde were the ones to grasp their opportunity when Jack Redshaw found the bottom corner in the 70th minute. Victory at the Project Solar Stadium lifts the Tigers to 13th, while Bury sit in sixth following their defeat.

One side climbing above the Shakers are fourth-placed Guiseley, who thrashed Emley in a one-sided Yorkshire derby. Jordan Thewlis and Kyle White put the Lions 2-0 ahead at the break, before Cameron Wilson’s long-range strike and Harrison Hopper’s maiden Guiseley goal rounded off the scoring to clinch a 4-0 win at the Fantastic Media Welfare Ground. 

A crushing defeat here is another bump in the road for Richard Tracey’s side, despite a decent start to life at Step 3. The Pewits, who sit 14th, have failed to win any of their last four.

In the final Manchester derby at Tameside Stadium, Curzon Ashton continued their stellar form by beating Ashton United 2-0. Brad Holmes’ first-half double was enough to separate the sides and lift the Nash into the play-off spots, having now won three in a row. 

It has been a huge upturn in form for Adam Barton’s side, who started their first campaign back in the NPL slowly. The Robins, however, have dropped to 12th on 11 points. They have lost consecutive fixtures for the first time this season.

Also riding a huge wave of momentum are Billy Barr’s Workington, who claimed an impressive 3-0 win on the road against Lancaster City. Luke Hunter pulled them ahead with his fourth goal of the campaign early on, before Brad Carroll and Dan Hopper added the finishing touches in the second half at the Giant Axe. 

A fourth consecutive win for the Reds lifts them to ninth following a poor start to 26/27. Building some confidence of their own after away brilliant victories at Bury and Guiseley, the Dolly Blues were outclassed in front of a home crowd. Jimmy Marshall’s side are down in 15th with four defeats thus far.

Over at the Towbar Express Stadium, Alfreton Town produced a stunning performance to sweep aside hosts Whitby Town. Dylan Youmbi opened the scoring with his third goal in as many matches; however, the dismissal of defender Stan Hewitt just before half-time only made matters worse for the Seasiders. 

Siyabonga Ligendza then doubled the Reds' lead on the stroke of half-time, before Samuel Parker piled on the pain with a 25-yard screamer to make it 3-0. 

Zimbabwean Joey Phuthi clawed a goal back with a stunning strike of his own, but any hopes of a remarkable comeback were short-lived as Alfreton added a fourth. Ligendza scored his second to round off the scoring, securing a 4-1 victory. 

A first away triumph of 26/27 lifts Jake Buxton’s men to 10th and only a point adrift of the play-offs. The manner of defeat is a concern for Whitby, who have conceded 18 goals in their last four fixtures.

The same can be said of Ilkeston Town, who were beaten 2-0 by a struggling Quorn side on home turf. Tris Whitman’s side have lost consecutive fixtures without scoring a goal, shipping nine in the process. 

The Derbyshire side languish in 17th, only a point above Quorn following their first victory of the season. 

It was a hugely significant moment for the Methodists, who looked low on confidence after a bruising 6-3 defeat at home to Whitby Town on Saturday. A brace from forward Jayden-Samuel Lawrence-Lowther was enough to put them 19th- just inside the relegation zone on goal difference.

Finally, at Gorsey Lane, hosts Warrington Rylands capped off a memorable bank holiday weekend by beating Bamber Bridge. 

Goals from Adam Caddick and Harrison Wood gave Neil Reynolds’ side a two-goal cushion at the break, but Archie Lang’s shot deflected off James Butteworth into the net to cut the deficit in half. 

However, as the Brig looked to restore parity, Rylands’ third of the day through Jake Burton effectively sealed victory. A miserable day for Jamie Milligan’s charges was capped off by Archie Lang’s red card minutes later. Saturday’s goal-scoring hero picked up a second bookable offence for a late challenge on Patrick Gamble.  

With just a solitary win to their name this season, the Brig sit 20th on six points. Rylands, on the other hand, have risen to 11th.

FA Cup ties this weekend mean NPL Premier Division action returns on Saturday 12 September.

Results- Monday 31 August

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

• Whitby Town 1-4 Alfreton Town

   

Fixtures- Tuesday 1 September

• Leek Town v Warrington Town (19:45)