Vanarama Make Their Team Of The Weekend Picks!

Our plans to take in Barnet’s visit from Hartlepool United were scuppered, so we headed to Vauxhall Road to see Hemel Hempstead Town overcome Slough Town 4-1 in the South.

With so few games beating the heavy frost and snow, it’s a composite XI across all three divisions.

Each week, title sponsors Vanarama provide their Team of the Week for the three divisions and use this column to justify their selections...

In the North, Rushall Olympic sealed a memorable victory over Scunthorpe United, winning 2-1 at Dales Lane. Keeper Paul White completed 15/21 passes for the Pics who made it three straight wins in National League North.

For 100 minutes, Tamworth kept a very strong Tottenham side at bay, forcing extra time. That was thanks in no small part to the display of Haydn Hollis in defence.

The 32-year-old was responsible for one of the game’s most memorable moments – a cool-as-you-like pirouette to get himself out of trouble under pressure from Pape Sarr outside the hosts’ penalty area. Hollis was named Man of the Match at the Lamb Ground and rightly so.

Torquay United centre-back Jordan Dyer is more used to stopping goals than scoring them. But he found himself on the scoresheet twice as the Gulls beat Welling United 3-1 to strengthen their grip on top spot in the South.

The 23-year-old ranked fifth among all centre-backs in the South for forward passes with 29.

Woking remain unbeaten under new boss Neal Ardley after securing a 1-1 draw at Yeovil Town in one of only two National League fixtures to go ahead. Cian Harries was successful in 100% of his defensive actions, recorded five interceptions and won 5/6 aerial duels for the improving Cards.

No centre-back completed more than his 83/90 passes on Saturday in the National division.

Truro City and Eastbourne Borough played out a stalemate in a battle between two play-off contenders. Christian Oxlade-Chamberlain impressed for the Tinners, succeeding in three of five defensive actions, while completing 15 ball recoveries.

New Ebbsfleet United loan signing George Moncur made an impressive start to life at the Kuflink Stadium after switching from Southend United. He got an 84th minute equaliser for the Fleet as they held fellow strugglers Boston United to a 2-2 draw.

The 31-year-old attempted more shots (4), completed more dribbles (5) and more progressive runs (3) than any other central midfielder in the Vanarama National League on Saturday.

Substitute Sam Mantom was the hero as Rushall Olympic beat promotion contenders Scunthorpe. His strike 20 minutes from time secured a famous win for the Pics. In 29 minutes on the field, he was successful in 100% of his defensive actions and recorded two interceptions.

Charlie Caton bagged a brace as Chester beat Buxton 4-2 on the road to move into sixth place. He attempted more shots (4) than any other winger in the North on Saturday, as well as the most successful defensive actions (9) and successful aerial duels (3).

It was a debut to remember for new Hemel loan signing Oliver Lynch who struck twice to steer the Tudors to a vital 4-1 win over Slough Town. Picked up on loan from Luton Town on Tuesday, he opened the scoring after just eight by seizing on a loose ball, before adding the third from close range late on.

Substitute Rhys Murphy was Dorking Wanderers’ match winner at Weymouth, settling a five-goal encounter 16 minutes from time. The experienced hitman needed a single shot with an expected goals (xG) value of just 0.03 to settle the game for Marc White’s men.

It’s now 18 games unbeaten for Maidstone United who have played their way into title contention. Shaq Coulthirst bagged a hat-trick in Saturday’s 4-0 win over strugglers Enfield Town. He took five shots – only St. Albans City’s Shaun Jeffers managed more in the South – and had a league-leading xG of 1.76 for the Stones.