Vanarama Make Their Team Of The Weekend Picks!

The Bees went to the Lamb where they beat a resolute Tamworth 1-0, while York overcame Dagenham & Redbridge 2-1 despite Ollie Pearce’s dismissal. FGR weren’t in action due to their FA Trophy involvement.

Involvement which ended at the hands of National League North side Oxford City, who advance to the quarter-finals, along with Woking, Aldershot Town, Sutton United, Rochdale and Spennymoor Town.

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 & FA Trophy

Ipswich Town loanee Henry Gray is the latest man to don the gloves for Braintree Town. He impressed in the Iron’s 1-1 draw with Hartlepool United on Saturday by making five saves – no National League keeper managed more on the day.

New Solihull Moors boss Matt Taylor returned to old side Wealdstone – who had their new man, Neil Gibson, in the dugout for the first time – to claim a 1-1 draw.

Alex Whitmore contested more aerial duels (17) than any other centre-back on Saturday, winning 10 to rank second among all centre-backs. The 29-year-old was second for loose ball duels won with three.

It’s been a good couple of weeks for Barnet who have taken advantage of their title rivals slipping up or not playing to build a healthy lead in first place.

Idris Kanu is included once more after his selection in Team of Midweek. The wing-back was a constant thorn in Tamworth’s side as they looked to preserve a proud home record.

Ten-man York City were 2-1 winners over Dagenham & Redbridge with Alex Hunt on the scoresheet. He completed the second-most passes of any central midfielder on Saturday (74). Only team-mate Dan Batty (89) managed more!

Unsurprisingly, the only player who received more passes than his 66 was – you guessed it – Batty with 76.

Another player who ranked well in the passing stakes was FC Halifax Town’s Jack Evans. He completed 35/37 to rank fifth among all central midfielders, while also recording more successful defensive actions (13) than anyone else in his position.

Oldham Athletic snapped a five-game winless streak with a welcome 2-1 win at AFC Fylde, secured with a brace from Mike Fondop.

The 2024 Van-on d’Or winner was a man on a mission. No striker tried more than his nine shots, had more penalty area touches (10) or won more aerial duels (16). His expected goals value (xG) of 2.12 was also first among all Vanarama National League strikers.

Vanarama National League North

It’s nine goal contributions – goals or assists – in just 10 games for Buxton’s Luke Brennan, who only joined the Bucks in November! He struck twice in Saturday’s 2-1 win over Southport.

His four shots were more than any other winger in National League North while he made more progressive runs (5) than anyone else in his position.

Liam Waldock scored twice as Alfreton Town eased past Farsley Celtic 4-1. Ofton are now seven points off the playoff places after putting a welcome end to a five-game losing streak that had threatened to derail their season.

It’s now seven straight wins for leaders Chester who are four points clear at the top after eking out a 1-0 win at Peterborough Sports.

Jordan Hunter makes the cut after an impressive defensive display for Cal McIntyre’s men. He was successful in seven of eight defensive actions – all without committing a foul – and completed 21/33 passes, 11 of which went forward.

Vanarama National League South

Jason Prior scores goals. The Dorking Wanderers hitman reached 10 for the season with a double in Saturday’s 3-1 win over Slough Town.

No striker in the South took more shots than Prior (7) and four of those were with his head – another high for his position. With an xG tally of 2.46, no forward had chances worth more than Prior on Saturday.

Weymouth put on a five-star display against Welling United, running out 5-1 winners to end their 10-game winless streak in style.

Jake McCarthy scored twice from midfield for the Terras with his only two shots of the game! Out of possession, he successfully completed 16/17 defensive actions for the hosts.

It’s now just one defeat in five for Enfield Town who beat Farnborough 1-0 at the QEII Stadium. Sam Youngs – who else, lately? - got the decisive goal from the spot but we’re paying tribute to Charlie Stallard.

Making his Towners debut, the wing-back was successful in 13/18 defensive duels and won a division-high seven defensive duels – more than anyone in his position. He also recorded six ball recoveries in the Yellows’ half and 12 overall.