Tuesday`s Vanarama National League Round-Up...

By Steve Whitney

Tranmere Rovers look determined to make it back to the Football League this season after a year out.

And their 1-0 win at previously unbeaten Boreham Wood saw Gary Brabin`s side make it four wins from the opening four games of the new Vanarama National League season on Tuesday night.

The only goal of the game at Meadow Park came after 33 minutes when Connor Jennings fired a shot across home keeper Grant Smith from the edge of the box.

To make matters worse for Wood, they had Conor Clifford sent-off 6 minutes from time after picking up a second yellow card.

Amazingly after just four games, Tranmere are the ONLY unbeaten team in the division.

Relegated York City and newly-promoted Solihull Moors joined Boreham Wood in tasting defeat for the first time this season on Tuesday night.

And in the Minstermen`s case, it was in dramatic fashion!

York suffered a 6-1 mauling at the International Stadium by Gateshead, for whom this was a third win.

Ironically, former Minsterman Ryan Bowman bagged a brace, opening the scoring after 17 minutes and then, after ex-Gateshead striker Richard Brodie equalised from the penalty spot right on half-time, adding number three on 56 minutes after Danny Johnson had restored the Heed`s lead 2 minutes after the interval.

Toby Ajala made it 4-1 in the 75th minute and another ex-York man, Jamal Fyfield, made it a nap hand with 10 minutes to go.

Sam Jones also got in on the act 4 minutes later to complete the rout.

Solihull fell to their first defeat after winning the National League North, but hosts Wrexham left it very, very late before inflicting a 1-0 scoreline at the Racecourse Ground.

With many of the 4,017 crowd beginning to make their way out of the stadium, Wrexham finally broke down a determined Moors defence in the 3rd minute of stoppage time at the end of the game when defender Mark Carrington netted Sean Newton`s cross from close range.

North Ferriby United, who came up with Solihull, broke Guiseley AFC`s hearts as they grabbed a late winner to record their first win in the National League and leave the Lions still searching for their first point.

Ferriby took an 8th minute lead through Ryan Kendall after good work from Curtis Bateson. F

The home side doubled their lead after 21 minutes through Danny Emerton after Jake Lawlor had failed to clear the danger.

Oli Johnson kept the visitors in the game with a goal on the half-hour mark.

And Guiseley piled on the pressure in the second period and Ferriby conceded an equaliser with Johnson scoring his second in the 83rd minute.

But 2 minutes from time, Simon Russell netted the winner for Ferriby in rather fortunate circumstances, as Marcus Williams' clearance rebounded off the former Gainsborough Trinity striker and into the back of the net.

A poor opening half-hour at the Moss Rose condemned Southport to a third defeat of the season against a Macclesfield Town side who, in contrast, now have three wins.

The visitors conceded three times in the first 25 minutes, with Danny Whitaker opening the Silkmen`s account after just 5 minutes following a corner.

Four minutes later and Macc doubled their lead through Paul Lewis.

Then, after good work from Andy Halls, Kingsley James made it 3-0 with only 25 minutes gone on the clock.

The home side took their foot off the gas somewhat after that, although credit Andy Bishop`s side for not folding and, indeed, they `won` the second half, thanks to an 83rd minute Ashley Grimes effort.

Braintree Town fell to a second successive defeat as they went down 2-1 at the Gallagher Stadium to newly-promoted Maidstone United.

Jamie Day`s new-look Iron are one of four teams yet to taste victory this season, although the Iron travelled to Kent having only lost once.

The Iron gave a debut to new goalkeeper Ross Fitzsimons, and he picked the ball out of the net before really having a decent touch of the ball Bobby-Joe Taylor put Maidstone ahead after less than 4 minutes.

The hosts doubled their lead on the half-hour mark through Taylor again.

It got worse for Braintree when they lost experienced defender Jon Ashton to a straight red card in the 81st minute after pulling a forward back.

However, the ten-men reduced the deficit in the 3rd minute of injury-time through substitute Joe Maybanks.

Woking remain win-less after going down to a 1-0 defeat at Kingfield to last season`s runners-up, Forest Green Rovers.

The only goal of the game came after 19 minutes when Keanu Marsh-Brown converted a cross from summer signing Liam Noble.

The Cards had their opportunities to level, most notably through Zak Ansah, whose effort was well saved by Rovers` keeper Sam Russell.

Bromley are the other team yet to record a win in 2016/17.

But they at least managed to pick up their first point of the new campaign after a 2-2 Hayes Lane draw with Aldershot Town.

However, the Shots will be hugely disappointed to have thrown away a two-goal lead.

Much-travelled striker Scott Rendell from close range after 14 minutes and summer recruit Matt McClure 7 minutes later with a fine solo effort put the away side two-up.

But a header from Tobi Sho-Silva a minute before the break and then on 74 minutes from substitute Louis Dennis completed Bromley`s morale-boosting comeback.

Newly-promoted Sutton United made it back-to-back wins after beating ten-man Torquay United on the new 3G at Gander Green Lane.

The U's were ahead after only 4 minutes through a spectacular volley by Maxime Biamou.

Nicky Bailey made it 2-0 just 10 minutes into the second half from the penalty spot after Torquay`s Ben Gerring had been dismissed for a second yellow card for bringing down Biamou for the spot-kick.

The ten-men battled hard to get back into the game, but the U`s held firm for three good points.

Barrow AFC survived a valiant comeback by Chester FC to record a 3-2 win at Holker Street.

Former Chester striker Ross Hannah gave the Bluebirds a 37th minute breakthrough.

And then a brace from Jordan Williams after 39 and 57 minutes had the hosts three-up and in control.

But goals from James Akintunde after 66 minutes and then Theo Vassell just 3 minutes later set up a nervy finale.

Relegated Dagenham & Redbridge made it three wins from their four matches, but were made to fight hard for the points at the Chigwell Construction Stadium by Lincoln City.

Experienced midfielder Luke Guttridge gave the Daggers a 26th minute lead after being sent through by Oliver Hawkins.

The Imps had the chances, most notably through Jonny Margetts and Adam Marriott, but John Still`s side held firm.

Another team fancied to feature at the top of the table come the end of the season, Eastleigh, suffered a second defeat to Dover Athletic at the Silverlake Stadium.

A goalless first 45 minutes suggested little of what was to come in the second period.

It was the Whites who broke the deadlock just 6 minutes into the second period through Ryan Huddart`s own goal.

On the hour-mark it got better for the visitors when new signing and former Spitfire Ross Lafayette doubled their advantage.

Nine minutes from time, sub Ryan Bird reduced the deficit but there were still three more goals to come!

Andy Drury pulled the home side back on level terms 5 minutes later from close range.

But just when it looked like Eastleigh were heading for a comeback point, Jim Stevenson restored Dover`s lead with less than 3 minutes to go, and then sub Ricky Miller made sure with a fourth in the final seconds.

Where next?

Todd Becomes First Managerial Casualty Eastleigh have confirmed that following a conversation with Chris Todd, the manager has been relieved of his duties at the Vanarama National League club.
Sho Silva Signs - Then Leaves! Vanarama National League North club Kidderminster Harriers have signed defender Richard Sho Silva, with the player immediately joining Halesowen Town on loan.

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