Vanarama Make Their Tuesday Night Team Selections!

Although heavy rain claimed a few fixtures, the majority went ahead to provide us with numerous storylines across the three divisions.

Every week, title sponsors Vanarama provide their Team of the Week and use this column to justify their selections.

Vanarama National League

Ebbsfleet United manager Dennis Kutrieb has praised his side’s new-found defensive resilience and goalkeeper Mark Cousins was impressive again to secure a 1-0 win at Maidenhead United.

His passing accuracy of 81.25% ranked eighth among all National League keepers on Tuesday, adding to his clean sheet.

Ryan Fallowfield almost scored a goal-of-the-season contender as York City left it late to win 2-1 at Oxford City. Deep in the second half, the right-back took aim from halfway, rattling the crossbar for the Minstermen.

Kidderminster Harriers who have won both of Phil Brown’s games at the helm to move off the foot of the table. Centre-back Reiss McNally was vital to Harriers’ 1-0 win at Hartlepool United on Tuesday.

No central defender in the division recorded more successful defensive duels (11) and he was second for successful total defensive actions with 13/14.

Bromley stretched their unbeaten run to 10 with a 1-1 draw at Aldershot Town thanks to Callum Reynolds’ equaliser.

The experienced stopper ranked sixth among his defensive peers for aerial duels won (6).

Completing the backline is Myles Kenlock who recorded more forward passes (20) than any other left-back on Matchday 30.

He was second for overall completions with 39/50 finding an Ebbsfleet United teammate.

Oldham Athletic climbed to fifth with a 2-0 win over fellow promotion hopefuls Barnet. Debutant Tom Conlon put in a tireless display, winning the ball back in the opposing half more times than any other central midfielder in the division (11).

For leaders Chesterfield, it was a 16th straight home win in all competitions with midfielder Darren Oldaker at his metronomic best.

No midfielder attempted (86) or completed (80) more passes. Nineteen of 21 final-third passes connected with a Spireites player – both league highs – and Oldaker also received the ball more times (70) than any other midfielder.

Jamie Cooke got FC Halifax Town’s comeback started as they came from 2-0 down to draw at AFC Fylde.

No midfielder in the division could match the 21-year-old’s six successful attacking duels while Cooke recorded an expected goals (xG) value of 0.21 which was second highest for his position.

Up front, James Norwood is in red-hot form for Oldham Athletic. He has 17 all-competition goals for the season and bagged his 10th in as many games with a brace in the 2-0 win over Barnet.

No striker on the night could match his xG of 1.66, while his double came from just three touches in the box.

Lorent Tolaj staked his claim to pick up the goalscoring mantle for Aldershot Town when Josh Stokes joins Championship side Bristol City this summer.

Eight progressive runs were a league high among strikers while Tolaj was second for completed final-third passes with 11.

Completing the XI is Dagenham & Redbridge talisman Inih Effiong who struck in the sixth minute of stoppage time to cancel out Josh Taylor’s 94th-minute leveller for Dorking Wanderers and secure a priceless 2-1 win.

Effiong attempted (19) and won (10) more loose ball duels than any striker in the National League on Matchday 30, as well as completing more ball recoveries (9) and recoveries in the opponent’s half (7) than anyone else.

Vanarama National League North

Hereford got back to winning ways by beating Rushall Olympic 1-0 on Tuesday with Kyle Howkins in imperious form at the back.

Successful with 15/16 defensive actions, he ranked joint-third among all National League North centre-backs.

In midfield, Shepherd Murombedzi steered Brackley Town to a 2-1 win at Bishop’s Stortford – their fifth win in a row.

The Zimbabwean attempted (11) the second-most defensive duels of any central midfielder in the North and was successful in more (9) than anyone else.

Warrington Town hit the goal trail in spectacular fashion, winning 6-0 on the road at Buxton.

Isaac Buckley-Ricketts had a night to remember, grabbing a hat-trick for the Yellows from just three shots and as many touches in the box. No winger could match his xG of 1.42.

Up top, South Shields marksmen Paul Blackett recorded his 21st goal contribution (18 goals and three assists) of the season by netting twice in a 2-1 win over Farsley Celtic.

Blackett recorded a league-high five shots and topped the chart for touches in the box with 12, too.

Vanarama National League South

Nobody was busier on Tuesday night than Slough Town keeper Hugo Sobte who made a league-high six saves from seven shots faced – more than anyone else in the South.

The Rebels managed a 1-1 draw at high-scoring Worthing for their troubles.

Joe Grimwood was the hero for Braintree Town, scoring the equaliser in the Iron’s 1-1 draw at Maidstone United.

The former Sudbury man was defensively resolute too, ranking third among all National League South centre-backs for successful defensive duels (8).

George Hoddle helped himself to a goal and an assist as St Albans City crushed Havant & Waterlooville 4-1 at Clarence Park – their fourth straight win.

Hoddle ranked third in the South for final-third passes completed by a central midfielder (12) and led the way for through balls attempted (4).

A Brandon Goodship brace saw Weymouth beat Taunton Town 2-0 on the road to make it consecutive wins and clean sheets.

Those goals came from an xG value of just 0.58 which points to clinical finishing from the 29-year-old who is now up to six for the season.