Managerial changes across Step 4 as Guisborough, Stalybridge and Stocksbridge reshuffle

The week in the Northern Premier League was shaped by dugout changes. The most direct link came at Guisborough Town, who confirmed that manager Nathan Haslam had left to take up a new opportunity with another Northern Premier League club. Jamie Tunstall and Leon Carling took charge against Blyth Spartans while the board reviewed its options. Matlock Town then announced Haslam as their first-team manager, with Pav Singh joining as his assistant. Guisborough have since named Gary Forster interim boss for the games against Garforth Town, Lincoln United and Ossett United.

At Runcorn Linnets, manager Michael Ellison resigned with immediate effect and captain Jacques Welsh took interim charge. The club said it had won only two of nine matches across all competitions, with seven of those played away. Welsh's side beat Hanley Town 3-2 at the APEC on Tuesday, goals from Rushton, Roberts and Buckley coming despite the Linnets being down to ten men for over an hour. Welsh was man of the match.

Stalybridge Celtic appointed Dave Jones as first-team manager, after Liam Tongue had been caretaker for the visit of Kidsgrove. Stocksbridge Park Steels began the Jason Blunt era with a flurry of recruitment: Derren Boyle from Guiseley, Lloyd Allinson on loan from Cleethorpes Town, Louis Poland and Reuben Selby on loan from Sheffield Wednesday, Elton Wamba Simo, Ryan Cook from Sheffield FC and Fedel Ross-Lang from Ilkeston Town. At Shifnal Town, Elliott Bennett's first game in charge brought a 3-1 win over 1874 Northwich.

On the pitch, Ashington lost 2-1 to Silsden on Saturday, a fifth consecutive defeat, with Luke Brooksbank's 90th-minute goal deciding it. Marc Ellison said: "We just don't play for the full 90 minutes." On Tuesday they won 4-1 at Lincoln United.

In the Midlands Division, Nuneaton Town came from behind to beat Boston Town 2-1 and move into the top three, then won at Rugby Borough. Belper Town won 5-0 at St Ives Town, Louis Keenan scoring his third goal in four matches, while Shepshed Dynamo rescued a 1-1 draw with Mickleover through debutant James Tague's stoppage-time finish.

Away from the results, Heaton Stannington said Newcastle City Council had pledged £250,000, completing the funding for a 3G pitch, though further stages of approval remain.