Vanarama National League Team Of The Week Revealed

In the National League, Maidenhead United and AFC Fylde picked up much-needed wins while Chester are on a roll in the North, winning their sixth game in a row in all competitions. In the South, Yeovil Town marked Mark Cooper’s on-year anniversary by retaining a six-point lead at the summit.

Title sponsors Vanarama provide their Team of the Week each matchday and they’ve taken a closer look at the stars of the weekend just gone…

National League

Southend United might be among the league’s highest scorers but goalkeeper Nick Hayes stole the show in Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Boreham Wood. The Ipswich Town loanee’s six saves preserved a point and only two goalkeepers in the division – Laurie Walker of Barnet and Marcin Brzozowski of Oxford City – managed more (9).

In defence, Bromley loan star Chinwike Okoli contributed to a clean sheet in the 1-0 win at Woking, winning 15/18 aerial duels – no centre-back in the league managed more. Joe Cook led the way in successful defensive duels, winning 12/17 as Dorking Wanderers overcame Aldershot Town.

Completing the backline is Dagenham & Redbridge stopper Tom Eastman. The vastly-experienced defender had a 100% completion rate for defensive actions, and weighed in with five interceptions.

In midfield, Cian Hayes scored his first Rochdale goal to snap a six-game winless streak for Jimmy McNulty’s men. His eight penalty-area touches ranked second among all midfielders on Matchday 18.

Also in goal-scoring form is Chesterfield’s Ollie Banks. The 31-year-old built on his midweek strike against York City with a brace at Kidderminster Harriers to keep the Spireites top. Those goals came against an expected goals (xG) value of just 0.95.

Alongside him, FC Halifax Town’s Kane Thompson-Sommers recorded eight interceptions in the TNT Sports live game against York.

AFC Fylde talisman Nick Haughton hadn’t scored since August 28 but ended his drought with a brace as his side ‘coasted’ to a 4-0 win at Gateshead. An xG value of 0.89 was second only to Team of the Week team-mate Banks.

Reece Smith has been a bright spot for Maidenhead United this term and got his fourth of the season as the Magpies ended their 13-game winless streak with a 3-2 win over Eastleigh. No midfielder contributes more progressive runs than Smith’s seven.

Barnet forward Callum Stead is bang in form and his match-winning brace in the 2-0 win at Oxford City came from a league-high seven shots. No striker had more penalty-area touches than him (11).

Strike partner Scott Quigley also recorded a double in Eastleigh’s 3-2 defeat at Maidenhead. The 31-year-old posted an xG value of 1.67 – unmatched by any of his striking peers.

National League North

Buxton’s Max Hunt had a day for the Bucks, scoring twice from centre-back in their 2-2 draw against Rushall Olympic. Unsurprisingly, no defender boasted a better xG figure (0.96)!

Scunthorpe United’s Tyler Denton has a bit of a knack of scoring and got his third of the campaign as the Iron crushed Bishop’s Stortford 6-1. No left-back completed more passes (45) or more final-third passes (8).

Central midfield pair Emmanuel Maja and George Glendon played pivotal roles as their sides won 1-0 on the road. Only one central midfielder in National League North racked up more interceptions (9) than Maja in Banbury United’s 1-0 win at Southport. Chester goalscorer Glendon had more penalty-box touches (7) than anyone in the victory at Curzon Ashton.

In attack, Scunthorpe’s Danny Whitehall took his tally to nine with a brace at Glanford Park. No striker in the division had more shots (8), headed attempts (3) or a higher xG (1.71).

National League South

Chippenham Town were indebted to goalkeeper Will Henry as they recorded a 0-0 draw at Welling United. His 11 saves were more than anyone in National League South.

In midfield, Johnny Goddard bagged a goal and an assist as Slough Town came from 3-1 down at Eastbourne Borough to snatch a point. He was sixth among all wide midfielders in the division for passes (25) and first for key passes (3).

A fine performance from Dara Dada helped Aveley to a 1-0 win at St Albans City. No one attempted more dribbles (7) while he ranked second for attacking duels attempted (12).

Midfield partner Taylor Maloney led the way with a goal in Farnborough’s 4-0 win over Dover Athletic, taking more penalty-area touches than any central midfielder, also chipping in with five interceptions.

Up front, Ben Seymour helped inspire Hampton & Richmond to a 3-1 win over Torquay United. He ranked fourth in the South for touches in the box with seven.