Vanarama Make Their Team Of The Weekend Picks!

York City were 1-0 winners at Yeovil Town thanks to yet another Ollie Pearce goal, while Forest Green Rovers were held to a 2-2 home draw against Southend United. Ben Goodliffe bagged a stoppage-time equaliser for the Shrimpers.

At the bottom, Boston United continued their remarkable recent improvement with a 1-0 win at Braintree Town. Finally, Ebbsfleet United’s long wait for their second win of the season is over – the Fleet beat relegation strugglers AFC Fylde 1-0 to cap a topsy-turvy weekend.

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 have become a lot harder to beat under Neal Ardley and ran leaders Barnet all the way on Saturday, thanks to goalkeeper Will Jääskeläinen. His five stops were the second most by any keeper in the Vanarama on MD38.

It’s now six unbeaten for FC Halifax Town who are firmly in playoff contention. Centre-back Adam Senior was on target during Saturday’s 3-0 win at Sutton United. He also successfully completed 15/20 defensive actions for the Shaymen. With 11 defensive duels won, he ranked 3rd in his position.

There was a six-goal thriller between Wealdstone and Eastleigh at Grosvenor Vale with the Stones coming from 3-0 down to nick a point. But we’ve got to include Spitfires defender Ludwig Francillette after his double. No centre-back attempted more shots than his three – unsurprisingly!

Blackpool loanee Alex Lankshear was Ebbsfleet United’s hero on Saturday, ending their 28-game wait for a second win of the season. He also completed eight of 11 final-third passes – the third most of any central defender.

Tamworth continued their recent upturn with a 3-1 win at Dagenham & Redbridge. Ronan Maher scored for the Lambs while also attempting (5) more crosses than anyone in his position. The Walsall loanee also supplied more shot assists (3) than any other winger.

Barnet skipper Anthony Hartigan will be dreaming of getting his hands on the Vanarama National League trophy at the season’s end and delivered a captain’s performance at Kingfield on Saturday. No central midfielder recorded more interceptions (9) or completed more ball recoveries in the opposition’s half (10).

Cameron Hargreaves has been among the goals for Aldershot Town recently, scoring his fourth since February 18 as the Shots won 3-1 at Altrincham. He successfully completed 13/16 defensive actions (ranking 4th) and completed seven interceptions (5th).

Keaton Ward was Boston United’s match winner as the Pilgrims made it five without defeat. That result means Graham Coughlan’s men are now only two points away from Dagenham in 20th place. Could the Great Escape be on?

Jay Bird has made an impressive start to life on loan at Rochdale and scored in Saturday’s Manchester derby against Oldham Athletic to further endear himself to his new club’s fans. No striker could beat his nine successful defensive actions in the 1-1 draw at Boundary Park, while he completed 20/24 passes.

If Wealdstone stay up, much will be owed to Wealdstone loanee Alex Reid. He struck twice to take his league tally to 12 in the dramatic 3-3 draw with Eastleigh. Reid recorded efforts with an expected goals (xG) value of 1.23 – higher than any other striker on MD38.

Maidenhead United shook things up at the bottom with a surprise 2-0 win at Gateshead. Shawn McCoulsky was on target for the Magpies in the North East (see what we’ve done there?) and no striker attempted more shots (6), headed efforts (3), or progressive runs (4).

Vanarama National League North
Kidderminster Harriers’ promotion hopes got a shot in the arm with a 5-0 win at South Shields on MD39.

Striker Ashley Hemmings bagged a hat-trick for Harriers, attempting more shots (8) than anyone in his position. He also recorded more penalty area touches (8) and had the highest xG (1.74).

Needham Market recorded a shock 2-1 win over Chorley to climb out of the bottom three in the North. Tevan Allen recorded more interceptions (10) than any other attacking midfielder. He also ranked 1st for successful defensive actions with 17/20.

It’s now six wins in seven for Marine who beat Curzon Ashton 1-0 to continue their incredible rise.

Right-back James Brown was accurate in 18/21 passes while connecting with three of four into the final third. He boasted an 85.71% pass completion overall – ranking second in the North.

Vanarama National League South
Slough Town snapped a five-game winless streak, winning 3-2 at Hornchurch. David Ogbonna equalised in the first half, but his all-round display caught the eye for the Rebels.

No winger could better him for defensive actions attempted (13) or completed (10). He also ranked 1st for aerial duels won (4/8) and successful defensive duels (8/11). All while attempting more shots (5) than any other winger!

Enfield Town were 2-1 down in stoppage time at home to Truro City when Oliver Knight decided to intervene.

Two goals – the first arriving in the 95th minute and the second two minutes later – secured a barely believable comeback for the Towners who have now won three straight in Vanarama National League South.

Jordan Dyer was Torquay United’s match winner in the big playoff battle against Dorking Wanderers at Meadowbank.

The centre-back struck 10 minutes from time and took more shots (3) than any other centre-back on MD39. Successful in 13/15 defensive duels, Dyer recorded 10 interceptions for the Gulls.

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