Vanarama National North Round-Up 05/04/2017

By Ray Simpson

Vanarama National North Round-Up 05/04/2017

We suffered our heaviest defeat of the season at the weekend, as we lost 4-1 at AFC Fylde. Despite p...

We suffered our heaviest defeat of the season at the weekend, as we lost 4-1 at AFC Fylde. Despite pulling a goal back in the second half, we could not get back into the game. Defeat was worsened late on with the dismissal of captain Kev Burgess after handling on the line.

The result saw us fall to sixth in the league table, two points off the play-off places.

Victory for Fylde was made sweeter upon learning that second placed Kidderminster lost at home to Halfiax 2-1. Harriers had taken an early lead through Joe Ironside, before Tom Denton levelled after half an hour. Kidderminster’s slim title hopes then took a huge blow as Jordan Sinnott scored the winner for Halifax with seven minutes left. Halifax are now one point behind Kidderminster in third and are in firm control of a play-off spot.

Halifax had a chance to move into second on Tuesday when they travelled to Brackley, but they were held to a 0-0 draw.

Salford City remain fourth after coming behind at home to neighbours Altrincham who were relegated following the result. Gary Jones gave Altrincham a surprise lead at the interval, before Sam Walker and Simon scored within ten minutes of each other to win the game for the Ammies 2-1.

Chorley moved ahead of ourselves into fifth after comfortably beating Gainsborough Trinity. Jason Walker scored a hat-trick along with a goal from Marcus Carver to secure a 4-0 win and push Trinity closer to relegation.

Stockport missed the chance to close the gap on those above them after being held at home by mid-table Nuneaton Town. Danny Lloyd gave County the lead from the spot just after half-time, but Ashley Chambers earned a 1-1 draw for Nuneaton just ten minutes later.

Brackley also missed the chance to close the gap on the top five after they were held to a 0-0 draw at home by Boston United on Saturday before their draw with Halifax on Tuesday.

Tamworth are one point behind Brackley after a dramatic 3-2 win over Harrogate Town. Dan Newton gave Tamworth an early lead before Warren Burrell levelled for the visitors. However, the drama all came in the final 12 minute. Newton grabbed his second, only for Marcus Day appeared to have earned a point for Harrogate. Yet, there was still time for Tamworth to grab the winner in the final minutes through Ben Fox.

At the other end of the table Stalybridge Celtic’s missed a great opportunity as they twice lost a lead at FC United of Manchester. Matty Hughes gave Celtic the lead after 28minutes, only for Matt Wolfenden to level seven minutes later. Danny Wilkins again put Celtic ahead, but George Thomson earned a 2-2 draw for FC United.

Stalybridge did however earn a 2-0 win at Alfreton on Tuesday night. Danny Wisdom and Andy Bishop scored either side of half-time for Stalybridge, but they remain ten points from safety.

Worcester City are still in relegation trouble after a 1-0 defeat at Telford who are now all but safe. John Marsden scored the only goal of the game for Telford inside the final ten minutes.

Bradford Park Avenue also moved nine points ahead of the bottom three after a 1-0 win at Alfreton Town, Oli Johnson scoring for Bradford after 36 minutes.

The final game of the weekend saw Curzon Ashton and Gloucester City held each over to a 0-0 draw.

Gloucester then scored a last minute equaliser at Nuneaton on Tuesday. Billy Daniels gave Nuneaton the lead from the penalty spot, before Sam Avery score in stoppage time at the end of the game to earn the visitors a point.