One can't help but think that will be a common theme for the side from Broadhurst Park. The former Stockport County, Rotherham & Reading front man a regular on the scoresheet - at much higher levels throughout his twenty year professional playing career. The Highwaymen, managed by Craig Lynch finished 13th with a haul of 50 points, 20 points off the play-offs, 20 off the relegation zone. They had the joint 5th worst defensive record, leading to a minus five goal difference, but have re-signed their top scorer from last season, on another season long loan, with Sam Hodgson coming back in from South Shields.
Picking up 13 points from 20 games away from home, compared to Trinity's 40 point return from 20 games... you'd probably have the hosts down as favourites tomorrow, but you never know with football & how unpredictable it can be! When you look at the games between the sides last season, it's 'Peth that took bragging rights on both occasions last season. Winning on aggregate 4-0.
Matchday Programme
The first Official Matchday Programme of the 2024/25 season is here! And we have the Team Photo as the centrefold. Taken by the excellent photographer, Bryan Pye; his work features throughout the programme. Contributors Steve Andrews & Phil Anderson provide their regular looks back in time, From Under the Bed, Steve Andrews raids the archives
, while Phil (who's birthday it was at the weekend, Happy Birthday sir) shares the View from Carljlse Street.
Jamie Johnson fires up his modern day type-writer in 'Just Jamie' & there is a sensational return as BBC Radio Lincolnshire's Dale Storey returns to the programme. All this, the fixtures, lowdown on the opposition & a Player Factile featuring Lewis Butroid to kick off the new season - at only £2.50... what's not to like?
Grab yours at the turnstiles, before they're gone!
Last Season
The Highwaymen completed the double over the Holy Blues last season. Beating Trinity 2-0 home and away, in games that both bizarrely saw Bobby Johnson sent off, for what can best be described as questionable decisions.
Seemingly headbutted, he saw red at Craik Park, before a second dismissal, for two yellow cards in the same phase of play on the stroke of half time killing the contest for Russ Wilcox’s Gainsborough Trinity.
NPL Fixtures in Full
Saturday saw Guiseley and Stockton start the season with 2-0 wins. Guiseley’s coming at home to Mark Fell’s Workington. Stockton winning away at fellow newly promoted side Leek Town. Whereas both Macclesfield and FC United of Manchester produced single goal victories away from home, Macc pinching all three points with an 89th minute winner against fellow automatic promotion favourites’ Worksop.
It's a tough away trip for Worksop on Tuesday, as they make the trip to FC United, with Adam LeFondre already up and running, while Blyth & Hebburn battle it out in the North East derby. All that, and the ‘Fell Derby’ as Workington host Lancaster City, who got off to a flier, scoring three at home to Basford, to pick up their first three points of the season.
There is still plenty of early season optimism around the league, with a full set of cracking fixtures, filled with interest and intrigue… but what do you expect, in the Pitching In Northern Premier League?
Bamber Bridge vs Hyde United
Basford United vs Leek Town
Blyth Spartans vs Hebburn Town
FC United of Manchester vs Worksop Town
Macclesfield vs Prescot Cables
Matlock Town vs Whitby Town
Mickleover vs Ilkeston Town
Warrington Rylands vs Ashton United
Workington vs Lancaster City
Stockton Town vs Guiseley (Wednesday)
Preview by Rob Hughes (@AATM_Media)