Vanarama Make Their Team Of The Weekend Picks!

The Minstermen took advantage with Forest Green Rovers only drawing 1-1 at Woking after Ryan Inniss’ first-half dismissal.

Barnet got back to winning ways, 2-1 at home to Rochdale, while result of the day went to Altrincham who were 5-0 winners at AFC Fylde live on DAZN.

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

With Forest Green Rovers down to 10 men for 70 minutes, goalkeeper Jed Ward stepped up. He made five saves for the visitors as the Cards racked up an expected goals (xG) value of 2.46.

Sutton United brought a welcome end to their three-game losing streak by winning 1-0 at Braintree Town. Captain Tyler French was successful in 11/14 defensive actions while winning 6/7 aerial duels.

For the second weekend in a row under new boss Carl Magnay, Gateshead were 1-0 winners – Solihull Moors the beaten side this time. Ben Radcliffe was successful in 12/15 defensive actions while also completing more progressive runs (5) than any other centre-back on Matchday 16.

Daniel Batty spent half an hour at centre-back as York completed a dramatic turnaround at The Shay. The metronomic midfielder completed 70/77 passes attempted while also connecting with 9/12 long passes.

Wing-back Daniel Moss was Woking’s surprise scorer against FGR and had the second-most penalty area touches (4) of any wing-back on Saturday. At the same time, he was successful in all 13 of his defensive actions and won the second-most aerial duels of anyone on his position.

Southend United were 2-0 winners over in-form Tamworth with James Morton pulling the strings in midfield. He completed 59/68 passes to rank seventh among all central midfielders and was second for long passes with 8/12. Morton won more aerial duels (4) than anyone in his position.

On the left, Ben Coker was Barnet’s unlikely match-winner as the Bees got right against promotion rivals Rochdale. He assisted more shots (3) than any other wing-back on the day while completing the second-most forward passes (9).

Alex Newby scored one and made another as Altrincham crushed AFC Fylde 5-0 on the road. No winger has more shots (2) or penalty area touches (4) than the Robins attacker. Newby also recorded more shot assists (3) than his positional peers.

Aaron Jarvis’ double means he has three in as many games for Yeovil Town who beat in-form Maidenhead United 3-1. He ranked second among all strikers for shots attempted (2) and completed 100% of the dribbles he tried.

Hartlepool United got their first win under interim manager Lennie Lawrence, 2-0 over Aldershot Town. Mani Dieseruvwe scored twice against an xG tally of 1.22 which ranked third among all strikers. He also took more penalty area touches (7) than any other striker.

Star of the show, however, was Altrincham hitman Regan Linney who took his tally for the season to seven with a clinical first-half hat-trick at Fylde. His xG was just 1.04 which suggests some impressive finishing – or generous goalkeeping. The 27-year-old also provided an assist for the rampant Robins.

Vanarama National League North

Buxton recorded a sparkling result as they thrashed Needham Market 7-1. The goals flowed and for Tom Elliott in particular, who bagged a first-half hat-trick for the Bucks.

Southport overcame title hopefuls Scunthorpe United with a brace from Danny Lloyd in a 3-2 win. The 32-year-old only took two thots and had three touches in the opposition’s box. But his post-shot xG – which considers on-target efforts only – was the best of any striker in National League North or South (1.83).

Curzon Ashton made it two wins, six scored and none conceded in a week as they crushed Chester 4-0.

Centre-back Devon Matthews got things started but also stood out defensively. He completed 100% of his defensive actions successfully and won all three of his defensive duels for the Nash.

Vanarama National League South

If you want goals, head to Worthing. Their games have already seen 46 in National League South. On Saturday, the Rebels beat the, erm, Rebels of Slough Town 4-3.

Danny Cashman bagged a brace for the red Rebels, trying four shots in total. No attacking midfielder in the South received more passes than his 47.

New Weston-super-Mare signing Samuel Pearson is settling in quickly, bagging a brace in Saturday’s 4-1 win over Aveley. No wide midfielder attempted more shots (5) or took more penalty area touches (7).

Pearson, who signed from Yeovil Town on October 17, also recorded more crosses (7) than any of his positional peers.

He was Chesham United’s FA Cup hero against Yeovil and on Matchday 14, Jack Cawley was the Generals’ main man again in National League South this weekend. His double sealed a 3-2 win at fellow promoted side Enfield Town.

The 32-year-old centre-back completed all seven of his defensive actions successfully and won 10/15 aerial duels.

PHOTO BY ADE THREASHER