Vanarama Make Their Team Of The Weekend Picks!

That meant Forest Green Rovers cut the Bees’ lead to two points by coming from behind to beat Eastleigh.

Elsewhere, York City new-boy Josh Stones began to repay his transfer fee with a hat-trick to see off Woking 3-0, in doing so ending old boss Neal Ardley’s unbeaten start at Kingfield.

We were at a damp Grosvenor Vale where impressive Gateshead overcame a mounting injury list to blow Wealdstone away 4-0.

Meanwhile, our spies were at Vauxhall Road to witness Lee Allinson’s rapidly improving Hemel Hempstead Town beat Chippenham Town 4-2.

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

Consistently one of the best goalkeepers in the Vanarama, Sam Johnson once again underlined his credentials as FC Halifax Town won 2-1 at Tamworth in front of the DAZN cameras. No keeper made more saves than his nine on Matchday 31 as the Shaymen became just the fourth side to win at The Lamb this season.

With all Adam Hinshelwood’s impressive signings at York City, right-back Joe Felix might go under the radar. Surely no longer. On Saturday, the flying full-back claimed an assist, completed more dribbles (5) and more shot assists (3) than anyone else in his position.

It’s three successive home wins for Maidenhead United, thanks to Will De Havilland’s winner against Southend United. The centre-back recorded six interceptions and successfully completed eight of his nine defensive actions for Alan Devonshire’s side.

By holding Barnet to a goalless draw, Boston United join an exclusive club to have shut the Bees out this season along with Gateshead, Oldham Athletic, Hartlepool United and Forest Green Rovers. Zak Mills gets the nod after winning six of seven loose ball duels and completing 24 ball recoveries – the fifth most of any centre-back.

Relentless Forest Green Rovers made it 19 unbeaten with a 2-1 win over Eastleigh, thanks to a 90th-minute strike from Jamie Robson. No left-back received more passes than his 37 while he recorded 11 interceptions, more than anyone else in his position on MD31.

Josh Passley won the Vanarama National League Promotion Final with Bromley in 2024. Now he's aiming to help loan side Ebbsfleet United avoid the drop, starting with Saturday’s 0-0 at Rochdale. He recorded more successful defensive actions (10) and successful defensive duels (7) than any other wing-back this weekend.

Oldham Athletic were 1-0 winners at Solihull Moors, keeping the pressure on third-placed York. Tom Pett completed 45/58 passes for the visitors, including seven of 13 into the final third. He ranked eighth for passes received among all central midfielders with 32.

Hartlepool United got their first win under new head coach Anthony Limbrick – an impressive 2-1 success at in-form Sutton United. Reyes Clearly recorded more progressive runs (6), more touches in the opposition box (7) and attempted more crosses (9) than any other wide midfielder this weekend.

Alex Newby made one and scored another to inspire Altrincham to a 3-1 win over Braintree Town, reaching 20 goal contributions this season. The Alty maverick also made more progressive runs (5) and a better pass accuracy (94.5%) than anyone in his position.

Injury to the impressive Louis Flowers forced Gateshead to introduce Jovan Malcolm from the bench at Wealdstone and the hosts could not deal with his pace or direct running. He scored twice in 29 second-half minutes – his first league goals since getting the winner over Wealdstone at the GIS in October!

Josh Stones has had to be patient since signing for York last month but was rewarded with a hat-trick to demolish Woking 3-0 as Ollie Pearce served a suspension. He attempted more shots (7), had more penalty area touches (10) and recorded a higher expected goals value (2.59) than any other striker on Matchday 31. Ollie who?

Vanarama National League North

Needham Market moved out of the National League North bottom four by winning the cliched six pointer at relegation rivals Farsley Celtic – hitting six of the best in the process! Seth Chambers struck twice for the Marketmen, in doing so making it three goals in his last two, both delivering much-needed wins.

For the second weekend in a row, Radcliffe midfielder Danny Greenfield gets the nod in National League North. He scored in the Boro’s 4-1 win over Southport, but his all-round performance caught the eye. Successful in 12/15 defensive actions, he also won seven of 10 defensive duels and completed 29/35 passes for Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley’s side.

Kieran Burton is another who has been a feature in recent weeks and he’s forced his way in again after scoring in Buxton’s five-star win at Rushall Olympic. The centre-back got the ball rolling in a 5-1 road win, moving the Bucks level on points with Curzon Ashton (7th) and Kidderminster Harriers (6th).

Vanarama National League South

Chelmsford City did it the hard way at Farnborough, winning a seven-goal thriller 4-3 thanks to Kane Crichlow’s hat-trick. Incredibly, his treble came from just three shots and an xG of just 0.91.

He also found time to contribute more successful defensive actions (12) and interceptions (8) than any other winger in the South!

Hemel Hempstead are well on their way to easing any lingering relegation worries with their upturn in form under Lee Allinson.

Brandon Barzey’s return to the side has been a key factor and he was on target again in the 4-2 win over Chippenham Town. No attacking midfielder took more penalty area touches (7) or attempted more dribbles (10) than the Tudors trickster.

It’s now four unbeaten for Enfield Town who may have clicked in time to kickstart a Great Escape. Goalkeeper Rhys Forster has conceded just twice in that period, recording back-to-back shut outs. His five saves in the 1-0 win at Aveley were the third-most of any keeper in Vanarama National League South on MD31.