Premier Division preview: Race for promotion begins

Last season’s beaten play-off finalists Warrington Town will kick off their new campaign at home to Morpeth Town, who have impressed since Craig Lynch’s arrival at Craik Park.

The Yellows will hope to go one step further this time around and achieve promotion, having lost out on a place in the National League North to Scarborough Athletic after a 2-1 defeat.

“The league is a very good one - it was last season, and there’s some good teams coming in this season,” boss Mark Beesley said.

“There’s not much between the top and the bottom, which you’ve got to be pleased with. For us, every game will be tough, and the addition of the local teams from around here will make it better."

Across the town, Warrington Rylands will be keen to begin the new campaign on a positive note, having achieved three promotions and an FA Vase triumph since 2018.

The opening weekend sees them welcome Gainsborough Trinity to Gorsey Lane.

“We’re as ready as we can be,” Rylands manager David McNabb said. “We planned pre-season to be as tough as we’ve ever had it because this season will be the toughest we’ve had as a football club.

“With any step up in league, it’s not just about ability. It’s about the desire, hunger and self-sacrifice.

“We’re going to come up against ex-pros and lads who have dedicated themselves to be at that level. We’re not under any illusions – we know it’s not going to be easy, but we’ve got a good group of players that are excited to get going.”

Elsewhere, South Shields and Matlock Town, beaten at the play-off semi-final stage last season, will begin at home to Stalybridge Celtic and Whitby Town respectively.

For Gladiators boss Paul Phillips, his side will be keen to go one step further, despite struggling in front of goal throughout pre-season.

“It’s good to be back and it’ll be good to play competitive football again,” he said. “The aim is to go one better.

“We have a great defence. In midfield we’re fine. The problem as we all know has been in attack, and hopefully we’ve addressed that.

“We’ll hopefully get some good luck which every team needs to do well. It’ll be about being ruthless in front of goal.”

Guiseley, the only side relegated to the division from the National League North, will welcome newly-promoted Marine to Nethermoor this weekend.

Meanwhile Marske United and Belper Town - promoted from the East Division and Midlands division respectively - will lock horns at Mount Pleasant.

After narrowly missing out on a place in the top five last season, Bamber Bridge will kick off their new campaign away at Stafford Rangers, who finished a respectable eighth last time around.

With a top-10 finish under their belts in 2021/22, FC United of Manchester will look to begin their challenge for the play-offs when they welcome Greater Manchester neighbours Atherton Collieries to Broadhurst Park.

In the weekend’s other fixtures, Liversedge - East Division champions last season - will face Ashton United, while Hyde United lock horns with Radcliffe and Nantwich Town visit Lancaster City.

Fixtures - Saturday 13 August

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