National North Round-Up 26/09/2017
We picked up a point on the road away to Boston United at the weekend. Stephen Thompson gave us the...
Harrogate Town and Salford City remain deadlocked at the top of the table after both picked up victories at the weekend.
Harrogate remain top on goal difference after an impressive 2-0 win over York City. Joe Leesley scored after quarter of an hour, with Liam Agnew sealing the victory early in the second half.
Salford also won 1-0 away to Gainsborough Trinity, Michael Phenix scored the only goal of the game just before half time.
Brackley are third, but are now six points behind the top two after being held to a 2-2 draw at home by Curzon Ashton. Glenn Walker and Aaron Williams twice put Brackley ahead, but goals from Richard Baker and a stoppage time equaliser from Joe Guest earned Curzon a point.
Spennymoor Town moved ahead of North East rivals Blyth after a 2-1 win over Alfreton. Shane Henry and a Joe Tait penalty gave the Brewers the points meaning a late Thomas Allan goal for Alfreton was just a consolation.
Blyth lost one of the most entertaining games of the season, as they fell to a 5-4 defeat at Kidderminster Harriers. Andre Brown gave Harriers an early lead, but Blyth quickly scored twice through Dale Hopson and David Mctiernan. James Mcquilkin levelled for Harriers, before Mctiernan’s second saw Spartans lead 3-2 at the break. Emmanuel Sonupe and James Pearson scored twice in three minutes for Kidderminster before another Brown strike sealed the win. Hopson netted with five minutes left for Blyth, but it was not enough.
Tamworth remain sixth despite losing at FC United of Manchester on Sunday. Jason Gilchrist gave FC United an early lead, with Connor Taylor levelling in the 52nd minute for the visitors. However, Gilchrist added his second along with a late Steven Irwin strike in the last minute to give FC United the 3-1 win. It was a huge win for the hosts to move them within a point of fourth bottom Leamington.
Leamington themselves also picked up a victory over Bradford Park Avenue,2-1, who would have been in the playoff places with a point. James Knowles gave Park Avenue a lead after just seven minutes, but goals from Kieran Dunbar and Ahmed Obeng turned the game around for Leamington.
Southport’s recent struggles continued as they lost 3-0 at Nuneaton Town. Ashley Chambers scored all of the goals, as he secured his hat-trick.
Chorley are just outside the playoff places on goal difference after a 3-2 win over Telford United. Josh Wilson and two goals from Marcus Carver did the damage for Chorley. Marcus Dinanga scored a double of his own for Telford, but it was not enough to earn a point.
Stockport County are also just outside the top seven after a comfortable win over North Ferriby United. Jason Oswell scored a hat-trick for County along with a goal from Samuel Miniham. Darnelle Bailey-King did pull one back for North Ferriby, but they remain bottom as they lost 4-1.