NPL preview | Saturday 30 September

Starting towards the top of the table, Ilkeston Town could move up to third with a victory over Bamber Bridge at the New Manor Ground.

New Robins manager Ian Deakin will be hoping to make it three wins from his first five fixtures in charge and will be buoyed by their two most recent fixtures with a 4-0 victory away at Lancaster City, and a 1-1 draw against promotion hopefuls Macclesfield.

After a relatively mixed start for Bamber Bridge, a victory this weekend would considerably boost their hopes of making another play-off push as they build on their mid-week 2-1 win over Atherton Collieries.

Elsewhere, FC United of Manchester face yet another tough away fixture on the road at Workington AFC, with Neil Reynolds’ side being downed 1-0 at Gorsey Lane by high-flying Warrington Rylands on Tuesday evening.

The Reds on the other hand will be looking to make it four consecutive victories in the league and will be confident that they can close the gap to the top five teams with another three points under their belt.

An emphatic 4-1 victory over Atherton Collieries last weekend gave Gainsborough Trinity a much-needed lift in their bid to fight off their early-season blues, as they travel to face basement side Basford United.

The Lions are still yet to record their first win this campaign, but with new manager James Jepson at the helm, they will be hoping for a change in fortunes as they look to avoid a relegation scrap at this stage of the season.

Marske United - who sit just above Basford United in 21st place - will host Matlock Town at Mount Pleasant.

Martin Carruthers will be hoping that his side can replicate their recent reverse fixture over the Seasiders, running out a resounding 5-0 victory, however, since then, the Gladiators have lost their last two fixtures, but a win this weekend would see them move to the brink of the top half of the table.

Finally, Bradford (Park Avenue) will travel to Stafford Rangers in a 17th vs 19th clash, and with just two points separating both sides, it is gearing up to be a mouthwatering encounter in the fight for survival.