National North Round-Up 01/09/2017

National North Round-Up 01/09/2017

Over the Bank Holiday weekend we were held to two 1-1 draws at North Ferriby United and at home to S...

Over the Bank Holiday weekend we were held to two 1-1 draws at North Ferriby United and at home to Spennymoor Town. The results leave us in sixth place in the league table, seven points off the leaders.

Harrogate Town are top on goal difference after two comfortable victories. On Saturday they won 3-0 at home to Tamworth thanks to a Simon Ainge hat-trick. They then won 2-0 at Blyth Spartans on Monday. Terry Kennedy gave them the lead just before half-time with former Quaker Josh Falkingham sealing the win in stoppage time.

Brackley are just behind Harrogate on goal difference after they lost their 100% record at the weekend. They were held to a 0-0 draw at Chorley, before winning 2-0 at home to Kidderminster Harriers. Lee Ndlovu gave Brackley the lead after 26 minutes with James Armson doubling it in the second period.

Salford City are third after picking up four points from two tough fixtures. On Saturday they drew 1-1 at fourth place Spennymoor. Liam Hogan was sent off for the Ammies in the first half and they looked to be heading for defeat when Andrew Johnson gave the hosts the lead. However, a free kick was headed into his own net by Shane Henry to share the points.

On Monday Salford again fell behind at home to Southport, but they turned the game round to pick up a crucial three points Steven Jennings put Southport ahead after 18 minutes before Emmanuel Dieseruvwe brought them level just after an hour. They were again the beneficiaries of an own goal as Jacques Kpohomouwh put into this own net in the final few minutes to give Salford the 2-1 win.

Before that defeat Southport had been held to a draw by fellow play off chases York City. Gary Roberts gave Southport the lead just after the break with Sean Newton earning a point for the Minstermen in the final ten minutes.

York then suffered a setback on Monday, as they lost 2-0 at home to FC United of Manchester. York had to play the final 30 minutes with ten men before Thomas Greaves and Jason Gilchrist earned the points for the visitors.

Tamworth occupies the final play off place after they came from behind to win 3-1 at home to Stockport County. Samuel Minilram gave the Hatters the lead after just five minutes, but Bradley Reid brought Tamworth level just six minutes later. Reece Styche was the match winner for them as he scored twice the last 15 minutes.

Despite that defeat Stockport are ninth after beating Gainsborough Trinity on Saturday. Jason Oswell scored the only goal of the game for Stockport after 54 minutes.

Bradford Park Avenue are tenth after picking up four points over the weekend. On Saturday, they won impressive fashion at Telford. Gianluca Havern, Adam Boyes and ex Darlington player Adam Nowakowski put them in control before half-time. Marcus Dinanga pulled one back for Telford before Oliver Johnson put the shine on Bradford’s victory. They followed this up on Monday with a hard earned 0-0 draw at home to Chorley.

Blyth Spartans are just in the top half thanks to a 3-0 win away to Curzon Ashton. An own goal gave them the lead with Dan Maguire and Sean Reid completing the win in the last ten minutes.

Newly promoted Leamington are bottom of the table after two heavy defeats. They fell to a 4-0 defeat on Saturday at Nuneaton Town. Jordan Nicholson scored twice along with goals from Alex Hensall and Brady Hickey for the hosts.

Things didn’t improve for Leamington on Monday, as they lost 3-0 at home to Telford. Anthony Dwyer scored twice in the first 21 minutes, with Jordan Lussey rounding off the win.

Two of the strugglers met as Gainsborough Trinity hosted North Ferriby United. It was Trinity who picked up the victory as first half strikes from Michael Jackson and Nathan Jarman earned them a 2-0 win.

Kidderminster Harriers picked up three points on Saturday which they needed given their indifferent start to the season. The visitors, Alfreton, took an early lead through Thomas Allan, but two goals in three second half minutes from Joe Ironside and Elton Ngwatala gave Harriers the 2-1 win.

Alfreton bounced back with a comfortable 4-0 win at home to Curzon Ashton. Adam Smith, Craig Westcarr, Thomas Platt and Brendan Daniels scoring the goals for Alfreton.

Boston United are in 17th place after picking up just one point from their two games at the weekend. Against FC United of Manchester they found themselves 2-0 down before half-time. Nathan Lowe and Connor Mccarthy put FC United in control and their position was strengthened as Boston then had two men sent off. The Pilgrims did pull a late goal back through Adam Chapman, but it could not stop them from falling to a 2-1 defeat.

Boston almost fell to another defeat at home to Nuneaton before salvaging a point in dramatic fashion. Mitchell Glover appeared to have won the game in the 89th minute for Nuneaton, but Brad Mcgowan scored even later for Boston to earn a 1-1 draw.