Vanarama Make Their Team Of The Weekend Picks!

Chesterfield came from 2-0 down to claim a battling point at Oldham Athletic in the National Division in the day’s early game.

In the North, Tamworth had to settle for a point in a goalless draw at home to Chester. While in the South, Yeovil Town drew 0-0 at Slough Town.

Each week, title sponsors Vanarama provide their Team of the Week for the three divisions and use this column to justify their selections...

Vanarama National League

Kidderminster Harriers faced the unenviable task of a trip to Hayes Lane to face promotion contenders Bromley on Saturday. And they came away with a credible goalless draw which means it’s now five clean sheets in his last eight for goalkeeper Christian Dibble.

Another team enjoying a remarkable upturn in form is Woking. The Cardinals beat high-flying Barnet 1-0 on Saturday with Timi Odusina imperious at the back.

Ranked against all National League centre-backs on Matchday 40, Odusina was fourth for successful defensive actions with 19/20. He also won the third-most aerial duels (8).
Next to him, Wealdstone’s Charlie Barker helped ease his side’s drop fears with a 2-1 win at AFC Fylde.

The central defender won 8/11 of aerial duels – enough to rank joint-third – and recorded seven interceptions (10th vs all centre-backs).

York City were also big winners at the bottom, upsetting playoff hopefuls Aldershot Town 1-0.
2 / 4 Not only did Howe get the assist for Lenell John-Lewis' late winner, but he was also successful in 10/11 defensive actions, including eight aerial duels (joint-3rd).
Lewis Page made vital contributions at both ends of the field as Dagenham & Redbridge cruised past Maidenhead United 4-1.

A goal and an assist for the 27-year-old told only part of the story. No left-back in the National League could better his nine successful aerial duels or six ball recoveries in the opposing half.
Cian Hayes’ second loan spell at Rochdale has been every bit as impressive as his first.

The Fleetwood Town loanee recorded more dribble attempts (10) and completions (8) than any other wide midfielder on Saturday. He also received the ball more times (19) than any positional peer.

Are FC Halifax Town dark horses for the playoffs? With six wins from their last seven, Chris Millington’s side have hit certainly form at the right time!
Experienced midfielder Luke Summerfield was again at the heart of the actions as the Shaymen won 2-0 at Oxford City to move within a point of the playoff places.

Bailey Hobson has had to be patient after joining Chesterfield from Alfreton Town last summer and scored his first goal for the leaders in Saturday’s dramatic 2-2 draw at Oldham Athletic to kickstart a comeback.

Out of possession, he worked tirelessly for Paul Cook’s men, completing the third-most interceptions (3) among all attacking midfielders. Overall, Hobson was successful in all six of his defensive actions.

Altrincham picked up a big win in their playoff bid – 1-0 at Boreham Wood. Justin Amaluzor was a constant thorn in the hosts’ side, completing six progressive runs and taking the second-most touches in the box (4) of any winger on Matchday 40.

Rakish Bingham has been on the big beneficiaries of a change of management at Ebbsfleet United and scored his first Fleet hat-trick in Saturday’s 4-2 win over Gateshead.

The 30-year-old ranked second among all strikers for shots (5) but took more penalty-area touches (11) and received the ball more times (26) than any other striker in the National League.

There’s a question to be asked of where Rochdale might be had Kairo Mitchell not missed a portion of the season through injury.

He bagged two more in Saturday’s 4-1 win at former loan club Eastleigh – adding an assist – from just two shots. His personal expected goals (xG) value was just 0.43, indicative of some ruthless finishing from the Grenada international.

Vanarama National League North

Not content with bagging four last weekend, Boston United striker Kelsey Mooney added a hat-trick as the Pilgrims eased past Farsley Celtic 3-0.

Only Danny Whitehall (7) of Scunthorpe United attempted more shots than Mooney’s five and he recorded an xG of 1.22, ranking third among all strikers in the division.

Jack Hazlehurst was on target as Chorley beat Scarborough Athletic 3-0, but it was his defensive contribution that caught the eye.

Among all attacking midfielders in the North, he ranked second for successful defensive actions (13) and second for defensive duels won. On both occasions, behind Scarborough’s Luca Colville!

Zak Lilly was among the goals as Brackley Town won 2-0 against Hereford to keep their grip on fourth place.

He was successful in 11/12 defensive actions and 5/7 defensive duels for the promotion hopefuls, while attempting three shots – second among centre-backs in the North.

Vanarama National League South

It’s safe to say Nathan Odokonyero is enjoying his loan spell at Tonbridge Angels, taking his tally to eight in just 12 starts with a double in Saturday’s 4-1 win over Torquay United.

That brace came from six shots – the most by a striker in National League South – and eight penalty-area touches. Also a league high among strikers!

Hampton & Richmond made it four straight wins with a 2-1 successful at Hemel Hempstead Town. Sam Deadfield impressed for the Beavers, ranking second among all central midfielders in the South for interceptions with 10.

He also led the way for successful aerial duels (7) and was third for ball recoveries (21).
Baris Altintop is enjoying his second stint at high-flying Braintree Town and netted the winner at Weymouth to keep the Iron firmly in the promotion hunt.

No right-back could match him for aerial duels attempted (15) or win (10) and he ranked fifth for passes received (23) against all players in his position.