Vanarama Make Their Team Of The Weekend Picks!

Bees boss Dean Brennan certainly won’t say it, but the North Londoners are overwhelming favourites for their fourth Vanarama National League crown after sealing a 1-0 win over Dagenham & Redbridge on Saturday.

Elsewhere, Braintree Town picked up a 2-0 win at relegation rivals AFC Fylde, while Aldershot Town did their survival hopes the world of good with a 3-1 home win over playoff hopefuls Gateshead.

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

Aldershot Town are unbeaten in four National League fixtures after seeing off Gateshead at the EBB on Saturday. Keeper Marcus Dewhurst is included after making four saves – the third most of any National League keeper on Matchday 37.

There’s now a four-point gap between FC Halifax Town in sixth and Altrincham in seventh. The Shaymen beat Yeovil Town 1-0 on Saturday to make it five without defeat; Festus Arthur starring in defence.

James Golding has become Southend United’s not-so-secret weapon, scoring from centre-back in each of his last three. He was successful in nine of 10 defensive actions on Saturday, while winning 60 per cent of his aerial duels.

No centre-back could beat Barnet’s Myles Kenlock in possession this weekend. He attempted (19) and completed (13) more final-third passes than any of his positional peers. The summer signing also came out on top for crosses attempted (6) and completed (4), while assisting two shots.

Is he a full-back or a forward? Boston United’s Jai Rowe reached seven for the season with a brace in the Pilgrims’ 2-2 draw with Woking. Unsurprisingly, no right-back took more shots than Rowe’s seven, or had more touches in the opposition’s box (10).

No central midfielder completed more forward passes than Woking’s Dale Gorman on Saturday, with 20. The Ulsterman also received more passes (59) than anyone in his position, highlighting his importance to the Cards.

Dillon De Silva got the winner as Sutton United ended their six-game winless streak in all competitions by beating Maidenhead United 1-0. The Sri Lankan completed two of three dribbles and the same name of crosses for the Us.

He played on the right, but we’ve had to move Braintree Town utility man Aidan Francis-Clarke to the left to get him in this week. He claimed an assist in the Iron’s vital win at Fylde while also completing 19/24 defensive actions successfully.

Reyes Cleary has been a rare bright spot for Hartlepool United recently and struck in the 1-1 draw with Eastleigh. No wide midfielder tried more shots (3), dribbles (15) or progressive runs (8) on MD37.

Solihull Moors finally ended their 10-game winless streak, in doing so handing Matt Taylor his first win as boss. He had full debutant Manny Duku to thank, his brace seeing off Ebbsfleet United 2-1. Duku had more headed attempts (3) than any other striker on Saturday and took six penalty area touches, recording an expected goals (xG) value of 0.99.

Ian Henderson rolled back the years to score one and make another as Rochdale beat Wealdstone 4-1 at Spotland. The 40-year-old forward receives (30) and completed (24) more passes than anyone in his position on Saturday, proving age is just a number!

Vanarama National League North

Result of the day in Vanarama National League North goes to Buxton who were 7-0 winners at 10-man Oxford City. The visitors were already 4-0 up when Reece Fleet was dismissed.

Between them, attackers Johnny Johnston and Luke Brennan had a hand in all seven of the Bucks’ goals. Johnston scored two and assisted two, while only Chorley’s Tom Carr had more penalty area touches than the 21-year-old striker.

Brennan also bagged a brace and assisted another for the visitors, receiving more passes (44) than any other winger in Vanarama National League North. He also came out on top for passes attempted (46) and completed (38).

Mark Ellis continued his frankly absurd run of goalscoring form with Chorley’s late winner in their come-from-behind win over Chester. The veteran centre-back now has eight in his last 10. To reiterate: he is a central defender!

Vanarama National League South

Truro City skipper Tyler Harvey reached 19 for the campaign by scoring twice as the Tinners beat Welling United 3-2.

Harvey recorded an xG of just 0.81 but his post-shot xG – which measures the placement of shots – increased those chances to a value of 1.87, which speaks to some high-quality finishing from the 29-year-old.

Jason Adigun scored one and assisted another as Eastbourne Borough eased past Chippenham Town 4-2. No attacking midfielder in Vanarama National League South completed more dribbles (9) and only Boreham Wood’s Jon Benton (14) attempted more than Adigun’s 11.

Enfield Town are two points clear of the drop zone after winning 2-1 on the road at Salisbury.

Centre-back Henry Hawkins got the Towners’ equaliser in the first-half stoppage time, while successfully completing 17/21 defensive actions. He also racked up 11 interceptions and won all his 11 aerial duels.