Vanarama Make Their Team Of The Weekend Picks!

Not everyone had a straightforward afternoon, though. Five-star AFC Fylde picked up their first win in four, thrashing Aldershot Town 5-2. Elsewhere, Oldham Athletic suffered their first home defeat as Solihull Moors ran out 3-2 winners.

Hartlepool United snapped a four-game losing streak in style with Mani Dieseruvwe bagging a hat-trick in their 4-3 win over Sutton United.

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

Gateshead began life after Rob Elliot with a 1-0 win over Wealdstone, preserved by a fine performance from Tiernan Brooks in goal. The Irishman will represent the Republic of Ireland Under-21s during the international break after recording his third shutout of the season.

In the day’s live DAZN game, Woking picked up a credible 1-1 draw against high-flying York City. Centre-back Ben Wynter was imperious for the Cards, succeeding in 14/16 defensive actions to rank second among all central defenders on Matchday 13.

Result of the day belonged to Maidenhead United who won 2-0 at Southend United thanks to a pair of Kevin Lokko goals. The Magpies defender won more aerial duels (14) than any other centre-back on Saturday and completed the most ball recoveries (25) too.

Braintree Town made it two wins in their last three by overcoming Altrincham 2-0 at Cressing Road. Louie Annesley completed 30/33 passes for the Iron while completing more crosses (3) than anyone else in his position.

Jack Stevens was Oldham’s tormentor-in-chief as Solihull Moors ran out 3-2 winners at Boundary Park, scoring one and making another. No wide midfielder tried more shots (4), progressive runs (5) or received more passes (35) than Stevens.

FC Halifax Town did it the hard way, coming from 2-0 down at home to Tamworth to win 3-2. Jamie Cooke was pivotal to that turnaround, scoring the equaliser and providing an assist during his 37 minutes on the pitch as a substitute.

Charlie McCann got his fifth of the season for promotion hopefuls Forest Green Rovers in their 3-1 win at Eastleigh. He was successful in nine of 15 defensive actions, while taking the second-most penalty area touches (4) of any central midfielder.

Ebbsfleet United picked up a hard-earned point in their battle against the drop, coming from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Rochdale. Ben Chapman kickstarted the comeback with a stunning 64th-minute goal from inside the centre circle!

Gavin Massey picked the perfect time to open his AFC Fylde account, scoring twice in the Coasters’ 5-2 win over Aldershot Town. No wide midfielder recorded a higher expected goals (xG) value than Massey with 0.98. He ranked fourth for completed passes with 14/20.

As was so often the case last season, Mani Dieseruvwe was Hartlepool United’s hero, bagging a hat-trick in their 4-3 win over Sutton United. He recorded the second-highest xG of any striker on MD13 (1.39) and his clinical finishing lifted that figure to a post-shot xG of 1.95.

Charlie Jolley was another to open his Fylde account and, like Massey, bagged a brace for the Coasters. No striker recorded more progressive runs than Jolley’s four or won more attacking duels (6). The former Tranmere Rovers striker was also a creative force with four shot assists.

Vanarama National League North

It’s now three wins in their last five for previously winless Needham Market who beat South Shields 3-0 thanks in no small part to Kieran Morphew’s brace. No centre-back in National League North had more goal attempts (4) or touches in the opposition’s box (5)!

Luke Griffiths was Curzon Ashton’s hero as they collected a 1-0 win at Buxton on Saturday. A tireless midfield shift included seven ball recoveries in the opposing half – more than any other attacking midfielder in the division – as well as 25/29 accurate passes.

Terrell Pennant made one and scored the other as Rushall Olympic secured a 2-0 win at Peterborough Sports. No forward had more shots (4) than the 22-year-old who also ranked first for touches in the box (7) and progressive runs (5).

Vanarama National League South

Slough Town defender Dan Bayliss is used to keeping the ball out of the net but scored twice as the Rebels beat Tonbridge Angels 3-1 on Saturday. He recorded four touches in the box – more than any other centre-back in National League South – while completing an impressive eight of 13 final-third passes.

Alongside him, Josh Brooking put in an assured display as Dorking Wanderers beat Hornchurch 3-1.

He completed 45/59 passes to rank fifth among all centre-backs in the South. On top of that, he successfully completed seven of 10 defensive actions and won 100% of his aerial duels.

Jordan Greenidge bagged a brace as Chelmsford City eased past Eastbourne Borough 4-2. The 24-year-old attempted just three shots, posting an xG of 0.99.

Only Chesham United’s Nathan Minhas (1.45) recorded a higher figure. However, nobody could better Greenidge’s post-shot xG of 1.73, which was the result of some clinical finishing.