Premier Division preview: Trinity visit Tigers, tough test for Robins

By James Gordon

South Shields will look to extend their lead at the top of the Northern Premier League this weekend when they welcome Ashton United to the 1st Cloud Arena.

The Mariners’ midweek win at Radcliffe saw them climb to the division’s summit, one point above previous incumbents Gainsborough Trinity.

They will now go in search of another three points, having won four of their last five matches, but it won’t be easy going against an Ashton United that have the third-best away form of any side in the league so far this season.

In the chasing pack, second plays third as Gainsborough Trinity visit Hyde United.

The Holy Blues will look to extend their seven-game unbeaten run in the league, while Hyde have won just one of their last four in the league since a 3-1 victory at Liversedge on Bonfire Night.

Having kept five clean sheets in a row in all competitions, Marine will go in search of another as they visit Lancaster City.

The Dolly Blues have struggled at home in 2022/23, winning just two of their 10 league matches.

Elsewhere, Warrington Town will look to back up their impressive 3-2 victory over South Shields last weekend as they welcome Stalybridge Celtic to Cantilever Park.

It will be the Yellows’ fourth successive home game, and a win could see them climb as high as third, depending on other results.

Across the town, Warrington Rylands host a Nantwich Town side that have turned a corner form-wise in the league recently, picking up 10 points from a possible 12 in November.

Meanwhile, Radcliffe will look to bounce back from their midweek home defeat to South Shields when they visit Matlock Town.

Boro have been free-scoring of late, scoring in each of their last 12 matches in all competitions.

However, they visit a Gladiators outfit that could climb above them, and potentially enter the play-off spots, with a win.

Bamber Bridge bounced back from two heavy defeats on the road with an impressive 5-1 victory over Matlock last weekend, and they will look to kick on this week with a trip to Marske United.

Marske currently sit 16th in the table, having won just one of their last seven games in the Northern Premier League.

At Marston Road, Stafford Rangers go in search of back-to-back league wins as they prepare to lock horns with Atherton Collieries.

Colls have won just one of their last nine matches in the league, leaving them 15th in the table.

Having suffered consecutive defeats in recent weeks, FC United will look to turn their form around as bottom-of-the-league Belper Town travel to Broadhurst Park.

Despite scoring in their last 13 matches, the Nailers’ 2-0 victory over Morpeth Town last time out was in-fact their first win since the end of September.

And in the afternoon’s other matches, Morpeth Town travel south to face Guiseley, while Whitby Town will look to make it three games unbeaten when they visit second-bottom Liversedge.

Fixtures - Saturday 3 December

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

Where next?

Derby recall Cybulski from Matlock Derby County have recalled striker Bartosz Cybulski from his loan at Matlock Town after the Polish attacker was wanted by National League Solihull Moors.
Warrington Rylands retain talented forward Warrington Rylands have confirmed that young forward Kelly N’Mai’s loan spell has been extended until January 2.

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