Vanarama Make Their Team Of The Weekend Picks!

The destination of the North and South titles looks rather less clear cut after an intriguing round of games that saw Radcliffe beat North leaders Scunthorpe United 1-0.

In the South, the leaders were also beaten with Worthing going down 2-1 against Truro. Weston-super-Mare eased past Maidstone United 3-0 and Torquay United were surprisingly beaten by Chesham United.

It’s all to play for!

Each week, title sponsors Vanarama provide their Team of the Week for the three divisions and use this column to justify their selections...

Vanarama National League

Sutton United had keeper Jack Sims to thank for holding Southend United to a draw on Saturday. The Shrimpers created chances worth 2.34 expected goals (xG) but Sims ensure it stayed 1-1.

Gateshead finally ended their eight-game winless streak with a much-needed 2-1 victory over Dagenham & Redbridge. Kenton Richardson was successful in nine of his 12 defensive actions and recorded six interceptions – the eighth-most by a centre-back on Matchday 41.

Having swapped Sutton for Southend – via Colchester United – it was written in the stars Ben Goodliffe would score when the two met. He did just that, netting with an agile volley. He also won the third-most aerial duels in his position on Saturday (6).

Another playoff hopeful that got back to winning ways were Altrincham. After seven without victory, Lewis Baines helped Alty to a 2-1 win over Yeovil Town with an 88th-minute winner. He also completed the second-most ball recoveries (19) of any centre-back.

Wealdstone are the 18th club of Mustapha Carayol’s illustrious career, including stops at Leeds United, Nottingham Forest and Middlesbrough. He played an integral part in Saturday’s potentially pivotal 2-1 win over Forest Green Rovers that lifted the Stones out the drop zone.

Nathan Sheron got an assist as Hartlepool United avoided the unwanted record of becoming the only side to lose twice to Ebbsfleet United this season. He recorded the second-most ball recoveries in the opposition’s half (9) of any central midfielder.

York City are now ‘only’ eight points behind leaders Barnet after winning 3-1 at AFC Fylde. Alex Hunt completed more forward passes (24) than any other central midfielder and was second for total pass completions with 87.

Kyrell Lisbie was on target as Braintree shocked Barnet with their first defeat in more than half a season. He took more penalty area touches (7) than any other winger on MD41 and recorded the highest xG (0.88) of anyone in his position.

Maidenhead United love a Great Escape. Shawn McCoulsky duly inspired Alan Devonshire’s side to a crucial 3-1 win over Tamworth on Saturday. He scored one and made another for the Magpies, also attempting more aerial duels (16) than any other striker on the day.

John Akinde came back to haunt old side Barnet, who he fired to the inaugural Vanarama Conference title in 2014/15 with 31 goals. It was just one on Saturday as the Iron saw off Dean Brennan’s leaders 2-1. Akinde attempted more defensive actions (11) and more defensive duels (6) than any other striker.

Alex Reid hit his 19th and 20th goals of the season for Wealdstone to give the Stones an invaluable win over Forest Green, in doing so moving five points clear of the drop. He is the first Wealdstone player to hit that milestone in more than a decade.

Vanarama National League North

Stephen Walker bagged a hat-trick from just three shots as Scarborough Athletic beat Marine 4-1. He recorded an xG of 1.74 which was second only to Curzon Ashton’s Jimmy Spencer (1.89) among all National League North strikers.

Matt Sargent’s goal for Radcliffe in the fourth minute of stoppage time inflicted a 1-0 defeat on leaders Scunthorpe United. He had been successful in all eight of his defensive actions and all seven defensive duels before clinching three unforgettable points for Boro.

Jonny Maxted helped Brackley Town keep the pressure on Scunthorpe at the summit with a 1-0 win at South Shields. George Carline got the winner from right-back, but it was the Saints’ keeper who made a pair of impressive stops to preserve the win.

Vanarama National League South

George Alexander hit his fourth hat-trick of the season as Eastbourne Borough beat Weymouth 4-1 to send the Terras down and keep the Sports in the title race. He recorded the highest xG (1.65) in Vanarama National League South and the best post-shot xG too (the value of every on-target effort) at 2.77. All from just three shots!

It was a five-star away day for Bath City who were 5-0 winners at Hampton & Richmond. Brad Ash netted a double and assisted another for the rampant Romans, while also recording the most successful defensive actions (11) of any striker in the South.

Chesham United came from behind to stun promotion-chasing Torquay United 2-1 at Plainmoor and record one of the most memorable results in their history. Alex Lafleur got both for the Generals, including an 89th- minute winner!

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