Vanarama Make Their Team Of The Weekend Picks!

Title sponsors Vanarama have selected their Team of the Week for each of the three divisions. Here are the reasons behind those selections…

Vanarama National League

At seven games, Maidenhead United boast the league’s longest unbeaten run. Thanks in no small part to goalkeeper Craig Ross, who kept a clean sheet in Saturday’s 1-0 win over Kidderminster Harriers. He made four stops from four shots faced and was successful in all his aerial duels.

Wealdstone claimed their first away win of the season, 2-0 at Dagenham & Redbridge. He might not have scored but Jaydn Mundle-Smith deserves a share of the credit. He was successful with nine of 11 defensive actions and six interceptions.

In the middle of defence, Callum Reynolds put in a near faultless display as Bromley impressively won 2-1 at Southend United. The 34-year-old was successful in all 10 of his defensive actions, intercepted the ball seven times and won five of six aerial duels.

Defensive partner Callum Howe helped York City to a welcome clean sheet in their goalless draw at Rochdale – their third shut-out in five Vanarama National League fixtures. Howe intercepted the ball 10 times and had a 100% success rate for defensive actions.

As ways of endearing yourself to your new fanbase go, a debut winner against local rivals to end a seven-game losing streak isn’t bad! Woking only signed left-back Paul Osew last week and he has settled in quickly.

No left-back had more shots (3), attempted (4) or completed (3) more dribbles, or had more touches in the box (4) than the Cards’ new signing in their 2-1 win at Dorking Wanderers.

In central midfield, Kane Thompson-Sommers bagged a beauty as FC Halifax Town won 2-0 at Gateshead live on TNT Sports. No central midfielder attempted (6) or completed (4) more dribbles while his 18 defensive successful actions led the way among his peers.

Oldham Athletic bounced back to win 3-2 at Solihull Moors. Nathan Sheron was the hero, scoring twice from four shots – more than any other central midfielder – and an expected goals (xG) value of just 0.33.

Completing the midfield is Chesterfield’s Tom Naylor. The 31-year-old bagged nine interceptions – only Maidenhead United’s Kane Ferdinand got more among all midfielders. He also recovered the ball 18 times, eight of which were in the Hartlepool United half.

Boreham Wood recorded consecutive Vanarama National League wins for the first time this season with Tyrone Marsh taking his tally to three in two. The forward attempted four shots – behind only Oldham Athletic’s James Norwood – while completing 20 passes, a league-high among all forwards.

Chris Conn-Clarke further enhanced his burgeoning reputation with a pair of stunners in Altrincham’s 2-1 win over AFC Fylde. Those efforts had an xG value of just 0.2. In other words, less than a 25% chance of going in – but that doesn’t account for Conn-Clarke’s knack for the spectacular!

Up front, Vanarama National League top scorer Paul McCallum notched twice as Eastleigh ran riot at Aldershot Town, winning 5-3. It’s now 18 for the season in the league and McCallum has struck nine times in his last six games in all competitions.

Vanarama National League North

Boston United defender Michael Bostwick used all his experience to help collect an impressive goalless draw at in-form Chester.

The 35-year-old was successful in all 23 of his defensive actions – more than any other centre-back in Vanarama National League North on Saturday. He also recorded 11 interceptions, another divisional high for his position.

Curzon Ashton boss Craig Mahon more than justified his selection as the Nash beat Brackley Town 2-0 to maintain their promotion hopes.

The 34-year-old, who has been in charge since Adam Lakeland left for King’s Lynn Town in September, bagged the second by letting fly from 20 yards early in the second half.

Up front, Scarborough Athletic won 3-1 against Rushall Olympic with Gateshead loanee Aidan Rutledge bagging all three at the Flamingo Land Stadium. Victory lifts the Seadogs to 10th – two points off a playoff spot.

Vanarama National League South

Torquay United have been putting a run together to advance into second place – seven points behind West Country rivals Yeovil Town.

They had veteran Dean Moxey to thank on Saturday as he struck in the 89th minute to see Hemel Hempstead Town off 3-2. It was the 37-year-old’s only touch in the Tudors’ box on the day, and what a touch it was!

Worthing’s Nick Wheeler has been a regular in the Vanarama National League South XI this season and he’s included once again after the Rebels thrashed Maidstone United 5-1.

The former Dorking Wanderers winger bagged an assist but also attempted (9) and completed (3) more crosses than anyone in the league, while providing a league-high six shot assists.

Team-mate Ollie Pearce is in devastating form, recording a hat-trick against the Stones to take his tally to eight in just four games. Not only that, the 28-year-old has bagged two trebles in as many weeks.

He led the way among all strikers in the South division for shots (7) and was behind only Braintree Town’s Aaron Blair for touches in the box (11). An xG of 1.88 was also a divisional high among strikers.