Vanarama Make Their Team Of The Weekend Picks!

In the North, Buxton were 3-2 winners at title hopefuls Scunthorpe United, allowing Chorley to go three clear with a 2-1 win over Leamington.

There’s a three-way tie for first in the South after Eastbourne Borough were routed 3-0 by Chippenham Town, while Weston-super-Mare and Truro City won on the road.

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

Kevin Phillips got his first home league win as AFC Fylde coasted past Gateshead 3-0. Goalkeeper Ben Winterbottom saved all four of the shots he faced, as well as completing 37/45 passes – the second most by a keeper on Matchday 17.

Are Yeovil Town serious playoff contenders? The Glovers won 1-0 at Southend United on Saturday with Jake Wannell imperious at the back. He was successful in 12/13 defensive actions, while recording seven interceptions.

Next to him Manny Monthé helped Oldham Athletic collect an invaluable point at Barnet in the late DAZN game. The experienced defender was successful in 8/11 defensive actions to end the Bees' 100% record at The Hive.

Braintree Town collected their first away win at the ninth attempt, winning 2-1 at Eastleigh. George Langston enjoyed his return to the Silverlake, recording a 100% success rate for defensive actions against his old side.

Jai Rowe’s goal earned Boston United a point at home to Dagenham & Redbridge, but his all-round performance caught the eye. No right-back on MD17 recorded more interceptions (6), more ball recoveries in the opposition’s half (4) or completed more final-third passes (6).

Charlie McCann had a hand in three of Forest Green Rovers’ four goals at Maidenhead United as the Green Army kept the pressure up on leaders York. He scored one and assisted two, while also taking more penalty area touches (6) and completing more progressive runs (4) than any other central midfielder on Saturday.

There are goals coming from all over this York City side and Alex Hunt got in on the action against Hartlepool. He scored a stunning free kick for Adam Hinshelwood’s side and made another goal for the hosts. All while recording the fifth-most passes (62) of anyone in his position on Saturday.

Max Kretzschmar sealed a first away win of the season for Wealdstone at Aldershot Town, live on DAZN in the lunchtime kick-off. The midfielder doubled the visitors’ lead in stoppage time to cap a 2-0 away win.

FC Halifax Town are on the cusp of the playoff places following their 1-0 win over Woking on Saturday. Angelo Cappello got the only goal of the game at The Shay – his second of the season, both coming in 1-0 wins!

Altrincham and Solihull Moors shared six goals in a thriller with Regan Linney bagging a brace for Alty. The Van-on d’Or nominee attempted more shots (5) than any other National League striker, as well as more penalty area touches (8). His expected goals (xG) tally was only 0.56, which suggests some impressive finishing.

Devante Rodney marked his return from a month out with the winner in the third minute of stoppage time for Rochdale over Sutton United. Despite being on the field for just 35 minutes, Rodney completed 2/3 dribbles and recorded five penalty area touches.

Vanarama National League North

Liam Waldock was Alfreton Town’s match winner, but there was much more to his performance against Warrington Town than that strike. He was successful in 8/12 defensive actions, recorded four interceptions and recovered possession in the opponent’s half six times.

Cian Coleman was the Buxton hero as the Bucks inflicted Scunthorpe United’s first home defeat. The midfielder scored a hat-trick for the visitors from just three shots and an xG value of 1.54, which was still the highest of anyone in his position on Saturday.

Hereford were rampaging Bulls on Saturday, brushing Marine aside 4-0. Ryan Bartley got things underway with a goal inside a minute. He also won 6/11 defensive duels and completed 11 ball recoveries for the hosts.

Vanarama National League South

We were at Vauxhall Road where Hampton & Richmond swatted Hemel Hempstead Town aside 4-0.

James Roberts was one of several star performers for the Beavers, scoring twice for Alan Julian’s side. Successful in 100% of his dribbles, Roberts also completed 24/35 passes.

Skipper Charlie Carter led by example as Dorking Wanderers made it four unbeaten with a 4-0 win at Chelmsford City, bagging a hat-trick. That treble came from just three shots, four touches in the box and an xG of 1.31.

Centre-back Tom Harrison turned match winner for surprise package Truro City as they triumphed 2-1 at Welling United.

He won an impressive 8/13 aerial duels on the day, as well as completing 22/28 passes for the White Tigers who remain firmly in the title chase.