Premier Division preview: All to play for at the NPL summit

It promises to be a crucial six-pointer, and Mariners boss Kevin Phillips insists he has faith in his side to get the job done.

He told the club’s official website: “We’re top of the league but there are six teams just two points behind us, with Marske being one of them, so it will be a tough test for us.

“Marske are the home team, and it’s up to us to put them under pressure and play our football.”

The Mariners were held to a goalless draw against Atherton Collieries last weekend and will be looking to return to winning ways with a victory at Mount Pleasant.

Elsewhere, Ashton United host Matlock Town, with both sides currently sat on 17 points.

The Robins have two games in hand on the travelling side, and a win for either team could send them top depending on the outcome of other matches.

Elsewhere, Warrington Rylands, a team in fine goal-scoring form, travel to Marston Road for their fixture against Stafford Rangers.

Despite sitting in sixth, Rangers have hit a poor run of form, winning only one of their last five games.

It will be a tough test for Matt Hill’s side as Rylands sit only one point behind tonight’s opponents, with the same number of matches played.

Down at the bottom, Belper Town will look to improve on their recent results as they host Stalybridge Celtic.

Both sides have lost their last two league games, with the Nailers gaining only four points from their opening 10 games this season.

Meanwhile, Warrington Town travel to Bamber Bridge as they look to bounce back from consecutive defeats in league and cup.

Mark Beesley’s side are currently sat in mid-table, and a win would go some way towards easing the pressure on the Yellows ahead of next week’s much-anticipated Warrington derby.

Elsewhere, high-flyers Hyde United will look to extend their unbeaten run to four games in the league when they face Nantwich Town, a side struggling at the bottom end of the division after picking up just two league wins so far this season.

Meanwhile, Gainsborough Trinity will aim to make it three straight victories as they face Guiseley at Northolme.

Trinity have scored 10 goals in their previous two fixtures, keeping clean sheets in both games. They sit comfortably in ninth on 13 points, with a game in hand on those above.

Radcliffe could move as high as second with a win over Whitby Town this evening.

The Boro have won four from their last five league games and are favourites going into the match, despite the Seasiders picking up their first win of the season away at Nantwich Town last time out.

Lower down the table, Lancaster City travel to 12th-placed Morpeth Town, with both sides suffering defeat last weekend.

Morpeth have taken maximum points from their last three home games and will be looking to build on their solid displays in front of the Craik Park faithful.

Meanwhile, the Dolly Blues have only managed to win one match so far this season.

In the rest of Tuesday night’s action, FC United of Manchester travel to Liversedge.

Neil Reynolds’ side will look to make it three consecutive wins in the league following their 1-0 win over Warrington Town on Saturday.

United could capitalise on Sedge’s poor start to the season as the West Yorkshire side have picked up only seven points from a possible 27.

Finally, Atherton Collieries will travel to Rossett Park to face Marine.

The two sides have had shaky starts to the 2022/23 season, with Marine having won only one of their last six matches.

Fixtures - Tuesday 28 September

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

Photo credit: South Shields