Tuesday's Round-Up: Vanarama National League South

By Steve Whitney

The last relegation spot in the Vanarama National League South will go right to the final day of the 2017/18 season in a straight fight between Poole Town and Hungerford Town, who hold a one-point advantage.

But the Crusaders go East Thurrock United on Saturday on the back of six straight defeats and one win in ten after losing 1-0 to a safe Concord Rangers outfit at the Aspect Arena on Tuesday night.

What proved to be the only goal of the game came on the hour-mark when Lewis Taaffe chested down a long clearance, beat his man and fired the ball it into the bottom corner.

Hungerford`s chances of getting back on level terms virtually disappeared 10 minutes later when a late challenge by the Beachboys` Adam Topley on Diak John saw the Crusaders man react badly and a mass brawl ensued which ended with John being the man dismissed.

Concord almost doubled their lead when Topley unleashed an effort from 25 yards which bounced back off the crossbar.

Poole moved to within a point of Hungerford after sharing a 1-1 draw at Tatnam against already-relegated Whitehawk.

Steve Devlin gave the Dolphins a 16th minute lead they held at half-time.

And their chances of moving out of the bottom three with a win were boosted when a bizarre incident in the 67th minute saw the Hawks reduced to ten-men when Connor Tighe came off the bench to replace Osa Obamwonyi, who reacted badly to being substituted and was shown a red card!

There were a couple of other issues settled on Tuesday night.

Chelmsford City secured their play-off spot with a 1-0 win at Nyewood Lane already-relegated Bognor Regis Town.

Chris Dickson scored the only goal of the game – his 20th of the season – after just 5 minutes to seal the points from an otherwise uninspiring affair.

And Welling United`s outside chances of making the top seven were ended by a 2-0 Park View Road defeat to the team immediately below them in the table, Bath City.

Despite the home still having an outside chance of making the play-offs it was City who won the game with goals from Antoine Semenyo just after the break and Tom Smith on the hour-mark.

Truro City bounced back from their defeat last weekend with a much-needed 2-0 victory at the Woodspring Stadium against mid-table Weston-super-Mare to keep their play-off hopes alive.

The White Tigers took the lead just past the half-hour mark when a corner from Connor Riley-Lowe was whipped in and found its way into the net.

And Aaron Lamont settled the nerves when he made it 2-0 on 57 minutes after another corner caused concern for the home side.

Braintree Town saw their four-match winning run come to an end after being held to a 0-0 draw at home by Oxford City to leave the Iron facing a nervy final day.

The scenario for the final two play-off spots is Truro need only a point to secure their place, Braintree then need to better St Albans City`s result at Bath to keep the Saints out of the top seven.

Where next?

Ground Plans Given The Green Light As Harrogate Aim High Harrogate Town may not have had the best few days on the pitch, but off it the club received some vital news.
Spennymoor Defeat Gives Blyth A Glimmer Of Hope Blyth Spartans have renewed hope that they can still sneak into the Vanarama National League North play-offs after they won 2-1 against Curzon Ashton in their fourth home game in seven days on Tuesday night.

Match centre

Vanarama National League North
Vanarama National League South
National League Cup Group A