Vanarama National North Round-Up 02/05/2017
Our 2016/17 season came to an end on Saturday, as we fell to a 5-1 defeat at Salford City who secure...
The play-offs and final relegation places were settled on Saturday, with Stockport County and Worcester City being the sides to come away from the weekend disappointed.
Chorley secured the final play-off place despite a 2-0 defeat at home to Halifax Town, with the victory sealing the visitors home advantage for the second leg of the play-offs. Tom Denton and a penalty from Liam King won the game for Halifax who now play Salford City in the play-off semi-finals.
Chorley finished the league campaign in sixth, but due to ourselves being unable to participate in the play-offs they take the final spot and will face Kidderminster Harriers.
That result meant that a Stockport County win over Gloucester City would have sealed a play-off for County. However, despite over 5,700 fans being behind them they were held to a 1-1 draw and missed out on the top six. Danny Lloyd gave County the lead from spot in the second half, but Zack Kotwica spoiled the day equalising for Gloucester in the final twenty minutes.
At the other end of the table there was heartbreak for Worcester City who lost at champions AFC Fylde to seal their relegation when a point would have been enough to keep them in the National North for another season.
Ebby Nelson-Addy gave Worcester a shock lead, but Matt Blinkhorn and Danny Rowe turned the game around for Fylde. Tyler Weir scored from the spot to level for Worcester, but just nine minutes later Andy Bond regained the lead for Fylde. The final blow was dealt for Worcester as they pushed forward they were caught out at the other end with Richie Baker sealing a 4-2 win for Fylde.
That meant that Gainsborough Trinity were safe regardless of their result at FC United of Manchester, but at the time they will have been nervous as they were easily beaten 5-1. Trinity had taken the lead through Chris Salt. However, a hat-trick from George Thomson and goals from Matt Wolfenden and Jerome Wright sealed an emphatic win for FC United.
Kidderminster Harriers claimed second spot with a 3-1 victory over Bradford Park Avenue. Joe Ironside and Jordan Tunnicliffe had put them in control before the break before Nicky Wroe pulled one back from the penalty spot. However, Liam Truslove sealed the victory for Harriers 11 minutes from time.
Brackley Town finished seventh after a seven goal thriller at home to Stalybridge. A James Armson double and a Lee Ndlovu strike gave them a 3-0 lead before the break. David Moyo added to this advantage, before Celtic pulled goals back from Porya Ahmadi and Gary Gee. However, Brackley had the final say, as Steve Diggin scored in stoppage time to seal a 5-2 victory.
Already relegated Altrincham took the lead away to Tamworth through James Lawrie. However, they fell to a 2-1 defeat thanks to second half strikes from Callum Powell and Dan Newton.
Liam Hearn scored a hat-trick for Alfreton Town at home to Nuneaton Town, but it was only enough to earn a point. After Hearn’s first strike, Brad Gascoigne and Greg Mills scored quick fire goals to put Nuneaton Town ahead. Hearn’s second levelled, but Ashley Chambers again put Nuneaton ahead, before he sealed his hat-trick in stoppage time to earn a 3-3 draw.
Curzon Ashton finished in 14th after a 4-2 victory at home to Boston United. Jonathan Hunt put Curzon ahead, before an own goal brought the Pilgrims level. Matt Warburton scored a quick fire double after the break and a Ryan Hall goal sealed the victory. Karl Hawley pulled a goal back for Boston in the final five minutes, but they were unable to gain anything from the game as they finished a disappointing 15th.
In the final game of the weekend Telford United and Harrogate Town shared a 0-0 draw.
The first legs of the play-off semi-finals are on Wednesday with the return legs being played next Sunday.
Wednesday fixtures
Chorley v Kidderminster Harriers
Salford City v Halifax Town