Vanarama Make Their Team Of The Weekend Picks!

Forest Green Rovers left it late to overcome a resilient Braintree Town, in doing so moving level with the Bees on 30 points at the summit. Only goal difference separates the two pace setters.

Elsewhere, new bosses Carl Magnay and Kevin Phillips endured somewhat differing fortunes. Gateshead and Magnay were denied a debut win by a late Altrincham equaliser while rampant Dagenham & Redbridge crushed AFC Fylde 4-0.

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

There was another ‘new’ manager, of sorts, taking charge of Hartlepool United at Maidenhead United. Lennie Lawrence, 76, is in interim charge for the second time after Pools relieved Darren Sarll of his duties in the week,

United began with a point at York Road thanks to keeper Brad Young who made the second-most saves of any keeper on Matchday 14. The Leicester City loanee completed 12/14 passes, too.

Dagenham & Redbridge are a force at Victoria Road, losing just one of their seven home games this season – including Saturday’s 4-0 destruction of Fylde. Oscar Rutherford is included after winning six of 11 defensive duels, enough to rank third among all right-backs.

Tamworth are another side enjoying home comforts, picking up their fourth win in their last five at th Lambs Ground by beating Woking 3-2. Haydn Hollis was imperious for the hosts, completing 100% of his defensive actions successfully and winning 6/7 aerial duels.

Next to him, Harry Taylor also recorded a 100% success rate when it came to defensive actions as Southend United won 1-0 at Rochdale live on DAZN. He was sixth among all centre-backs for final-third passes completed (6) too.

Mark Kitching got an assist as Oldham Athletic won 3-1 at Sutton United to strengthen their grip on a playoff spot. He was successful in all eight of his defensive actions and won more aerial duels (4) than any other wing-back on Saturday.

New Solihull Moors loanee Michael Adu-Poku enjoyed a memorable debut as his new side beat leaders Barnet 4-3. The 19-year-old recorded more dribble attempts (10) and completions (7) than any other wide midfielder on Saturday. He was also top of the charts for successful defensive actions (9).

Not for the first time this season, Braintree proved obdurate opponents – as Forest Green Rovers found it. It took an 87th-minute winner from Kyle McAllister to see off the Iron, 2-1.

Goals have been James Henry’s calling card for Aldershot Town this season, but he turned provider in Saturday’s 2-1 win over Eastleigh with a pair of assists. The 35-year-old completed 21/27 passes to rank third among all attacking midfielders and found his target with each of the three crosses he attempted.

Andrew Oluwabori was FC Halifax Town’s match winner as Chris Millington’s side snuck into the playoff places with a 1-0 win at Boston United. He completed four of eight dribbles – putting him third among all wingers – and won the second-most attacking duels (8) of anyone in his position.

York City striker Ollie Pearce added two more to his tally as the Minstermen brushed aside Ebbsfleet United 4-0. His brace came from just three shots and as many penalty area touches. No striker on MD14 received more passes (14) than the former Worthing man.

Yeovil Town are faring best of the promoted sides by a distance this season and backed that up with a 3-0 win at struggling Wealdstone in which Aaron Jarvis got the second.

Vanarama National League North

Ashley Hemmings was on a one-man mission to get on the scoresheet as Kidderminster Harriers won 3-0 at Needham Market. He succeeded, scoring twice from a league-high nine shots and 11 penalty area touches for the visitors. No striker in the North recorded a higher expected goals (xG) figure than his 2.32 either.

Also on target was Peterborough Sports’ Dan Jarvis who struck in their 2-0 win over Marine. No attacking midfielder in National League North took more shots (5) or recorded a higher xG figure (0.83) than the 25-year-old.

At the 11th time of asking, bottom-of-the-table Radcliffe picked up their first win in National League North, 1-0 at Brackley Town. Keeper Mateusz Hewelt takes his place in the side after picking up his first shut-out of the campaign.

Vanarama National League South

Truro City hitman Tyler Harvey is well on the way to bettering last season’s 14-goal haul after scoring his eighth and ninth goals of the season on Saturday. His five headed efforts in the 3-0 win over Hampton & Richmond were more than any striker on the day while his seven shots also ranked first in the South.

It’s now three straight defeats for Hemel Hempstead Town after Chippenham Town won 3-0 at home. No wide midfielder in the South had more penalty area touches (9) or receives more passes (27) than York City loanee Leone Gravata who also capped a sumptuous team move to score.

Jack Young has settled in quickly at Dorking Wanderers. He scored twice for his new side in their 3-3 draw with Salisbury, despite recording an xG of 0.06! The Wycombe Wanderers loanee also connected with 39/44 passes for Wanderers.

PHOTO BY PINNACLE