What Happened In The National League North On Monday?

By Sam Elliott

Some real heat was put on the leaders in an afternoon that left everyone gasping for air in the National League North.

Six of the post-match top seven were winners - and it was the frontrunners who couldn’t make the most of a second game in three days.

York City were held 1-1 by Gateshead as Steve Watson’s former side gave everyone a reminder that they still have a lot to offer.

Connor Oliver snatched a point after Jordan Burrow opened the scoring for City, whose lead is down to just a point.

King’s Lynn Town’s incredible start continues as the newcomers won 2-1 at Farsley Celtic. Experienced Michael Gash got what turned out to be the winner as Lynn cement second place.

In third now are Chester - striker Akwasi Asante was at the double as they eased past Hereford 4-1.

Billy Heath’s Alfreton Town are surprising many and they climb to fourth - Amari Morgan Smith’s brace swatted aside Southport. It finished 2-0.

Guiseley recovered from a set-back on Saturday to triumph 4-1 at troubled Blyth Spartans, Lee Clark still looking for his first win as the club’s manager.

Leamington have made a very solid start - Paul Holleran’s team are on the march and up to sixth after their 3-1 win over AFC Telford. Ravi Shamsi settled it in time added on.

Brackley Town may not have sprinted out of the starting blocks but they now hold a play-off place - a comfortable 3-0 home win over Gloucester came thanks to a fine Jimmy Armson hat-trick at St James Park.

There’s no doubting where the game of the day was.

Those who braved the heat saw Kettering and Kidderminster share eight goals - the Harriers running out 5-3 winners in Northants. Once again Ash Chambers twice found the net.

Also scoring five were Boston United. They put Altrincham to the sword with defender Luke Shiels and Man of the Match Tom Platt both scoring twice.

Bradford (Park Avenue) are up and running as new managers Marcus Law and Lee Fowler secured the club’s first win of the season, a surprise 1-0 success at Darlington.

Spennymoor are surprisingly still looking for theirs but will take heart from the 1-1 draw against good-at-home Curzon Ashton.

National League North scores:
AFC Telford 1-3 Leamington
Alfreton 2-0 Southport
Blyth Spartans 1-4 Guiseley
Boston United 5-0 Altrincham
Brackley 3-0 Gloucester
Chester 4-1 Hereford
Curzon Ashton 1-1 Spennymoor
Darlington 0-1 Bradford PA
Farsley Celtic 1-2 King’s Lynn
Kettering Town 3-5 Kidderminster
York City 1-1 Gateshead

PICTURES BY RICK MATTHEWS

Where next?

The Bank Holiday Monday National League Review Woking continue to play their Cards right - but the temperature is certainly starting to rise in the National League thanks to a sweltering Bank Holiday weekend.
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