Vanarama Make Their Team Of The Weekend Picks!

We start by offering our best wishes for a full and speedy recovery to Gateshead captain Greg Olley who suffered a broken leg, dislocated ankle and significant ligament damage during his side’s win over Woking.

He is included this week as a nod to his importance to the Heed who, fittingly, sit top of the National League after Matchday 2.

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

Elliot Justham helped Dagenham & Redbridge preserve a point at Rochdale on Saturday with a string of saves for the visitors. The 1-1 full-time score was not necessarily reflective of the 1.82 expected goals the hosts chalked up, with Justham making five saves – ranking third among all keepers.

At the back, Aldershot Town new-boy Luke Jenkins played a pivotal part as the Shots won 1-0 at FC Halifax Town.

The England C international won more aerial duels (13) than any other centre-back on Matchday 2. The summer signing from Chelmsford City also ranked first for ball recoveries completed (25).

In midfield, Liam Sercombe and Forest Green Rovers laid down a marker to the rest of the division by winning 4-0 at National League North Promotion Final winners Boston United.

The 34-year-old has been signed for his know-how and bagged a brace against an expected goals value of 0.08. If you’ve seen his first – scored from inside the centre circle – you’ll understand why! Goal of the Season, already? Perhaps.

Jack Stevens was one of the quiet stars of Solihull Moors’ run to last season’s Promotion and FA Trophy Finals and he was at his best again as Moors overcame Maidenhead United 2-1 on Saturday to get their campaign up-and-running.

No wide midfielder took more penalty area touches (3), and he was first in his position for ball recoveries (5) and aerial duels won (6), underlining his tireless work rate.

Barnet were on the receiving end of the surprise result of Matchday 1 but righted those wrongs with a 2-1 success at Ebbsfleet Town on Saturday. Callum Stead was the Bees’ two-goal hero.

No attacking midfielder could better his four penalty area touches while his xG score of 1.67 was a league-high in his position.

Completing our XI is Forest Green Rovers’ Christian Doidge who also helped himself to a brace as Steve Cotterill’s side ran riot in Lincolnshire.

Doidge attempted more headed efforts (3) than any other striker and, impressively, his double came from just two touches in the Boston box. He also provided two key passes for teammates – passes leading to shots – which was more than any other National division striker.

Vanarama National League North

Brackley Town were 1-0 winners at National League North title contenders Chester on Matchday 2, thanks in no small part to the defensive contribution of right-back George Carline.

No other right-back in the North won more aerial duels (9) than the Saints defender, who also topped the charts for interceptions (12). Overall, he completed 12/16 defensive actions successfully.

Harry Green was on top form as Scarborough Athletic collected their first win of the season – 3-0 against Rushall Olympic.

The winger scored one and made another for the Seadogs. No winger attempted (8) or completed more dribbles (4) than the 22-year-old. Green was also first in his position group for final-third passes attempted (8) and completed (5).

Leamington have their first win back at Step Two after beating Spennymoor Town 3-1 on Saturday with a brace from Callum Stewart.

The Brakes hitman only attempted two shots and recorded a solitary penalty area touch. But his expected goals (xG) tally of 1.64 ranked first among all strikers in the North. As did his five final-third pass attempts.

Vanarama National League South

St Albans City are still waiting for their first win of the second David Noble era but improved to draw 2-2 with Worthing on Saturday.

Full-back Jack James – stationed out of position in our XI on the left – scored one and assisted the other for the Saints. No right-back tried more shots (2) and he was first for passes received with 27.

Ricky Holmes’ fine start to the new campaign continued as Farnborough beat Torquay United 1-0.

The 37-year-old was the match-winner from the spot but took more shots (5) than any other attacking midfielder on Matchday 2 in National League South. He also led the way for aerial duels contested (19) and won (8).

So far so good for the Ross Jenkins revolution at Boreham Wood with six points from six after Saturday’s 2-1 win at new-boys Chesham United.

Lee Ndlovu was the Wood hero, scoring twice at the Meadow from an xG value of just 0.93. His seven penalty area touches ranked third in the South, while winning three of four aerial duels.