The end of another thrilling round of FA Cup qualifying sees all 24 NLN sides turn their attention back to the league.
Marine will notably be making the short journey over to Cheshire to face Macclesfield.
After an underwhelming end to their cup run, the Mariners are hoping to steady themselves, further solidifying the backline after the signing of Declan Drysdale.
The club also announced this morning the signing of 28-year-old centre-back Adam Anson.
Anson provides a wealth of NLN experience; having played for local rivals Southport, Alfreton and Chorley over the last eight years. He will be hoping to bring Marine their first win since 23rd August.
Macclesfield similarly are on a run of dipping form, winless in the last three.
John Rooney has seen his side slip out of the play-off positions and into tenth in the league.
The Silkmen have enjoyed a successful start in the FA Cup; with their progression into the Fourth Qualifying Round remaining the highlight of an otherwise underwhelming September.
An interesting tie coming to the Leasing.Com stadium could provide either manager a much-needed boost towards their ambitions for the season with Marine hoping to put some space between them and the drop.
Macclesfield will be hoping to restart their battle with both fighting for a spot in the play-offs.
Southport are also faced with a difficult away game at Spennymoor.
Port have won just one league game all season and will be hoping to build on a recent run of performances that have left them unbeaten in the previous five. Their most recent result was a comprehensive 3-1 win in the FA Cup against Morpeth Town.
Spennymoor are unbeaten through the month of September whilst also comfortably progressing to the next round of the FA Cup.
Graeme Lee has his side sitting in fifth in the league and can climb as high as second over the weekend.
The two sides have similar defensive records this season but notably the home side have been twice as efficient in front of goal: scoring 14 to just Southport’s seven.
After losing all four away matches so far, the Sandgrounders will need to improve if they want to leave the Northeast with three points.
Chester, last year’s playoff finalists, find themselves seventeenth as we enter October, level with Marine on points and goal difference.
The Seals welcome Merthyr Town to the Deva stadium for an enticing affair in Cheshire. The NLN newcomers have proven themselves so far and after five wins in their first nine the South Welsh side sit in eighth, just outside the play-offs.
Merthyr Town have endured an up and down start, having won five and lost four and conceding just one more than they’ve scored.
Paul Michael’s side will be hoping to continue this steady run of form as they find their feet in the league.
As the table starts to take shape, this week’s fixtures are sure to provide some drama around the league.
