NPL Premier Division Preview: Double matchday for Easter

The action starts on Good Friday with two matches.

Firstly, Hyde United will be hoping to get their play-off hopes back on track against Morpeth Town. The Tigers have only won one of their last six games, while The Highwaymen haven't won in four matches.

Finally on Friday, Warrington Rylands will be hoping to improve their run of good form at home to already relegated Belper Town.

The action then moves to Saturday, and South Shields will be hoping to get their title charge back on track at home to Nantwich Town. The Mariners have only won one of their last six, and seen their lead at the top cut to six points. Meanwhile, Nantwich have won their last two games.

Bamber Bridge will be hoping to keep up their good form when they travel to FC United of Manchester. The Brig travel there on a run of five straight wins, which has seen them close the gap to South Shields.

Warrington Town will also be hoping to extend their good form as they host Ashton United. The Yellows have been unbeaten since November, while Ashton have won four of their last five matches.

Meanwhile, Radcliffe will be hoping to bounce back to winning ways, as they travel to Liversedge. Boro lost their play-off battle with Warrington in midweek and are now three matches without a win. While Sedge drew last time out against Lancaster.

Gainsborough Trinity could find themselves outside the play-offs come their game on Saturday, but would regain that place with a result at Lancaster City. The Holy Blues have drawn their last two games, but remain unbeaten in three matches. The Dolly Blues recently lost their run of five wins in six games, and have drawn and lost their two games since.

Also, Matlock Town could close in on the play-offs, as they host an Atherton Collieries side just two points above the drop zone.

At the bottom of the table, Stalybridge Celtic will hope to boost their survival hopes when they travel to an out of form Guiseley. They are two sides bang out of form though, the Celts have only won one in 10, while Guiseley have only won one out of eight.

Meanwhile, in-form Marske United will be hoping to keep themselves away from the relegation places when they host play-off chasing Marine. The Seasiders have won three of their last six games overall, while Marine will be hoping to arrest a two-match losing run.

The final fixture of the day sees Stafford Rangers welcome Whitby Town.

And as if that wasn’t enough, there is another full list of fixtures on Monday as well.

Among the permutations, South Shields could seal their promotion with two wins, and Bamber Bridge fail to win one of their matches. On the flip side, Jamie Milligan’s side could close the gap completely if results go their way.

The Brig and Warrington Town could also confirm their play-off places if results go their way.

South Shields travel to Whitby Town on Easter Monday, while Bamber Bridge welcome Lancaster City and Warrington Town travel to Marine.

In the race for the play-offs, Radcliffe host Warrington Rylands, Gainsborough Trinity face Liversedge and Hyde United make the short trip to Stalybridge Celtic.

And at the bottom of the table, Belper Town welcome Matlock Town, who will still hope to be in the play-off race, Nantwich Town host Stafford Rangers, Morpeth Town welcome Marske United in what could prove to be a six-pointer and Atherton Collieries host Guiseley.

The day's other fixture see Ashton United host FC United of Manchester.

NPL Premier Division Fixtures - 7 April

Hyde United v Morpeth Town
Warrington Rylands v Belper Town

NPL Premier Division Fixtures - 8 April

FC United of Manchester v Bamber Bridge
Guiseley v Stalybridge Celtic
Lancaster City v Gainsborough Trinity
Liversedge v Radcliffe
Marske United v Marine
Matlock Town v Atherton Collieries
South Shields v Nantwich Town
Stafford Rangers v Whitby Town
Warrington Town v Ashton United

NPL Premier Division Fixtures - 10 April

Ashton United v FC United of Manchester
Atherton Collieries v Guiseley
Bamber Bridge v Lancaster City
Belper Town v Matlock Town
Gainsborough Trinity v Liversedge
Marine v Warrington Town
Morpeth Town v Marske United
Nantwich Town v Stafford Rangers
Radcliffe v Warrington Rylands
Stalybridge Celtic v Hyde United (1pm)
Whitby Town v South Shields