Vanarama Make Their Team Of The Weekend Picks!

Matters at the top might be settled but the Vanarama National League relegation battle looks set to go to the wire. Elsewhere, Dagenham & Redbridge beat Maidenhead United 1-0 to leave Alan Devonshire’s side five points from safety.

In the playoff picture, Tamworth are the coming force. Their fifth win in six – beating Eastleigh 2-0 – leaves the Lambs just three points shy of the playoffs in 10th.

Southend United are now eighth after beating Oldham Athletic 1-0 on DAZN, just a point shy of Gateshead in the last playoff spot.

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

Boston United have found form at just the right time and continued their impressive streak with a 2-1 win over Sutton United. They had keeper Cameron Gregory to thank as the Us created chances worth 2.32 expected goals (xG).

The title might be out of reach, but Forest Green Rovers are determined to reach the playoffs in good form. A 1-0 win over Solihull Moors on Saturday was secured with a solid rearguard display, led by Ryan Inniss. He completed six of seven defensive actions successfully while completing the third-most passes by a centre-back.

Haydn Hollis scored as Tamworth continued their surprise playoff charge with a 2-0 win over Eastleigh. He was successful in all five of his defensive actions, recorded three interceptions and won the sixth-most loose ball duels of any centre-back on Matchday 40.

Yeovil Town have won two in a row to ease any lingering fears of being dragged into the mire. Rochdale loanee Kyle Ferguson won seven of 10 aerial duels in Saturday’s 1-0 win over AFC Fylde – ranking eighth among all centre-halves.

Like FGR, York City’s focus is the playoffs after head coach Adam Hinshelwood conceded the title to Barnet. The Minstermen beat Wealdstone 3-0 with Joe Felix starring. He recorded the third-most touches in the opposition’s box by a right-back, the most passes, the most ball recoveries and more shot assists than anyone else in his position.

Woking picked up their first win in six Vanarama National League games, beating in-form Braintree Town 2-1. Tunji Akinola was the Cardinals’ match winner, giving Neal Ardley’s side a welcome return to winning way in the League after their FA Trophy exploits.

Keenan Appiah-Forson was Southend United’s match winner as the Blues beat Oldham Athletic 1-0 live on DAZN. No central midfielder attempted (10) or completed (6) more dribbles. He also led the way for attacking duels won with eight.

As six pointers go, Dagenham & Redbridge’s 1-0 win over Maidenhead United could be huge. As has been the case so often in the last couple of seasons, Josh Rees was the Daggers’ match winner. Yet it was the defensive side of his game that caught the eye, attempting more loose ball duels (10) and aerial duels (7) than any other attacking midfielder.

Reyes Cleary has proven a brilliant loan addition for Hartlepool United, helping Pools secure much-needed consecutive wins with the only goal in a 1-0 win at FC Halifax Town. He completed three of seven dribbles, as well as two of six crosses for Anthony Limbrick’s side.

Eleven points clear at the summit, Barnet need only three wins from their final six to clinch the Vanarama National League after their 3-1 win over Gateshead. Callum Stead struck twice for the Bees. He attempted (9) and completed (6) more dribbles than any other forward on MD40, as well as making more progressive runs (5) and taking more penalty area touches (11).

Devante Rodney bagged a brace and assisted the other as Rochdale crushed Aldershot Town 4-0. However, it was his out-of-possession work that really capped his display. No forward won (7) or attempted (8) more defensive duels or recorded more interceptions (6).

Vanarama National League North

Chorley picked up a much-needed 4-0 win over playoff-chasing Spennymoor Town – just their second in five Vanarama National League North fixtures. Kole Hall was among the Magpies’ scorers and took more penalty area touches (10) than any striker in the division. He also recorded the highest xG of any striker with chances worth 1.43 expected goals.

Zak Brown struck twice as Kidderminster Harriers kept the pressure on leaders Scunthorpe United with a 3-0 win over Peterborough Sports. No central midfielder in National League North had more penalty area touches (4) while Brown led the way for ball recoveries in the opposing half (10).

Oxford City put a welcome 10-point cushion between themselves and the bottom four with a 1-0 win over fellow strugglers Radcliffe, the side a place below them in 20th. Keeper Laurie Walker (7) made more saves than any keeper in the North bar Brad James of Spennymoor Town (9).

Vanarama National League South

In Vanarama National League South, Maidstone United dealt Boreham Wood a huge blow to their playoff aspirations, winning 4-0 at the Gallagher Stadium. Sol Wanjau-Smith struck twice in the first half to see George Elokobi’s side leapfrog the Wood into sixth place.

If anyone is going to take advantage of Boreham Wood’s collapse, Weston-super-Mare look most likely. They beat Hornchurch 4-2 on Saturday with wide midfielder Luke Coulson scoring a hat-trick and assisting the other.

The 31-year-old now has 36 goal contributions in an incredible season. He attempted more shots (7), received more passes (23), completed more passes (27) and provided more shot assists (5) than anyone in his position on Matchday 41 in the South.

Every time St. Albans City look dead and buried, they manage to pull out a result. The Saints are still three points from safety after Saturday’s 1-0 win over Farnborough but remain alive. David Longe-King helped marshal the backline, succeeding in all 16 of his defensive actions while winning nine of 10 aerial duels and recording 10 interceptions.

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