Vanarama Make Their Team Of The Weekend Picks!

That’s after the Bees were held 1-1 at home by FC Halifax Town while the Minstermen breezed past Southend United 3-0.

Elsewhere, Forest Green Rovers drew 1-1 against Aldershot Town. Meanwhile, we were at The Meadow to see Dorking Wanderers dismantle ten-man Chesham United 5-0 in the South.

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

Woking began life under Neal Ardley with a statement win, 2-1 over Altrincham. Goalkeeper Will Jääskeläinen impressed between the sticks with eight saves. Only AFC Fylde’s Ben Winterbottom managed more (9) on Matchday 23.

There was a rare stumble for promotion hopefuls Forest Green who could only draw 1-1 against Aldershot Town. That was thanks to Ryan Jones’ strike for the visitors. He completed all four of his attempted dribbles and had four touches in the hosts’ penalty area.

There was no way through the Minstermen or Callum Howe for Southend as the Shrimpers lost 3-0 at the LNER. Howe successfully completed 11/12 defensive actions as well as winning 9/13 aerial duels and recording six interceptions for the leaders.

Next to him, it’s Eastleigh match winner Ludwig Francillette. The Guadeloupean scored his third of the season and for the second time it helped the Spitfires to maximum points – making it three wins from four in all competitions.

Hartlepool United boss Lennie Lawrence believes the playoffs are possible and after watching his side overcome Yeovil Town 2-1, he will surely feel emboldened. David Ferguson was successful in 8/9 defensive actions and won 4/5 defensive duels for Pools.

Tom McGlinchey was Tamworth’s hero as the Lambs got their first away win since September 24. He scored both goals in their 2-1 win at Sutton United despite his chances being worth just 0.23 expected goals (xG) on the day. In other words, those two shots had just a 23% chance of going in!

By the season’s end, FC Halifax Town might be one of the only teams Barnet were unable to beat. The Shaymen were winners on the opening day at The Shay and got a 1-1 draw at The Hive on Saturday. Florent Hoti pulled the strings for the visitors as he has done so often this season.

Wealdstone ensured last weekend’s loss at Oldham was a blip, brushing Dagenham & Redbridge aside 3-0 to continue their good form. Jack Wells-Morrison might not have got among the goals but the Crystal Palace loanee stole the show. He was successful in 6/8 defensive actions, assisted three shots – more than any other central midfielder on MD23 – and completed nine ball recoveries.

Oldham Athletic are unbeaten in eight National League fixtures after their 2-0 win at Braintree Town. Mark Kitching got an assist for the Latics but also recorded more interceptions (6) than any other wing-back in the division. He was also No.1 for ball recoveries in the opposition half and accurate long passes (6).

Conor Wilkinson is red hot. The Solihull Moors forward made it nine in his last nine all-competition outings with a double in Saturday’s 4-1 demolition of AFC Fylde.

Only one striker could better his five shots on the day, and Wilkinson was second for attempted dribbles (6). An xG of 2.03 ranked first among all strikers.

Another striker who cannot stop scoring is Gateshead loanee Owen Oseni. It’s four in three games for the Derby County prodigy who bagged a brace in Saturday’s 4-1 win at Ebbsfleet United. No striker had more penalty area touches (8), and Oseni led from the front with four ball recoveries in the opponent’s half – more than anyone in his position.

Vanarama National League North

Leamington ended Curzon Ashton’s five-game winning streak with a resounding 4-1 win. Cally Stewart has taken to life in Vanarama National League North with ease and bagged a hat-trick from seven shots – more than any striker in the North. His 11 penalty area touches were also the most in his position.

Zac McEachran was at his influential best as Oxford City beat Spennymoor Town 3-0 to ease their relegation worries. He recorded an assist for the Hoops, as well as three progressive runs. In possession, he completed 41/45 passes and had a 100% success rate with passes into the final third.

He was very unlucky to miss out on a spot in our Team of the Half Season (check Vanarama's social media channels if you missed it) but Scunthorpe United keeper Ross Fitzsimons is in this week. He kept a clean sheet and denied Hereford chances worth 1.11 xG in their 0-0 with the Iron on Saturday.

Vanarama National League South

Where else can we start but Dorking Wanderers’ Alfie Rutherford? His hat-trick stole the headlines as the Wanderers handed ten-man Chesham United a harsh lesson with a 5-0 win. His five shots were the most by a striker in National League South and his 11 penalty area touches also ranked first. As did his xG of 1.74.

Torquay United were made to work hard for a 1-0 win over Hemel Hempstead Town, now under the management of Lee Allinson. Omar Mussa exemplified that, recording 13 successful defensive actions, winning 7/10 defensive duels and completing nine ball recoveries for the league-leading Gulls.

Aaron Amadi-Holloway was the toast of Chippenham Town after scoring a winner in the third minute of stoppage time at Hornchurch.

The centre-half-cum-striker managed nine interceptions and was successful in 100% of his defensive actions and defensive duels in a colossal performance.