Vanarama National North Round-Up 14/03/2017
We kept up our playoff challenge on Saturday with a 1-0 win over struggling Stalybridge Celtic. Mar...
Last week none of the promotion chasing sides were victorious, but this weekend all of the top seven sides in the division won.
AFC Fylde remain eleven points clear after winning 2-1 at relegation threatened Gainsborough Trinity. Danny Rowe scored his 40th league goal of the campaign to give Fylde the lead before Jordan Thewlis levelled for Trinity just after the break. However, an own goal gave the league leaders another win in the final quarter of an hour, with the result pushing Gainsborough into the relegation zone.
Salford City remain second on goal difference after a hard fought victory at Brackley, Michael Nottingham scoring the only goal of the match in the 57th minute.
Kidderminster eased to a 3-0 victory over Alfreton Town thanks to first half strikes from James McQuilkin, Liam Truslove and Tyrell Waite.
Chorley remain level on points with Salford and Kidderminster after a 2-1 win at home to Telford United. Jack Sampson gave the hosts the lead, with Josh Wilson levelling for the visitors before the break. However, Chorley grabbed all the points thanks to Andy Teague’s strike early in the second period.
Halifax Town remain in the final play-off place, but had to come from behind at Bradford PA. Oli Johnson gave Bradford the lead early in the second half, but was then sent off for a second yellow card. Halifax took full advantage as Richard Peniket, Tom Denton and Matty Kosylo gave them a 3-1 win.
Stockport County remain hot on the heels of Halifax after comfortably winning at home to Curzon Ashton, 3-1. Danny Lloyd scored twice in the first half, with Jimmy Ball also adding his name to the scoresheet , meaning that Matt Warburton’s late penalty for Curzon was just a consolation.
Tamworth’s hopes of a top five finish suffered a setback, as they lost 1-0 at FC United of Manchester. Nathan Lowe scored the only goal of the game for FC United in the fourth minute of stoppage time at the end of the game.
Harrogate Town’s faint play-off hopes also appear to be over as they were held to a 1-1 draw at Gloucester City. Town’s top scorer Simon Ainge netted his 17th of the season, but Luke Hopper levelled for City less than a minute later.
Worcester City are out of the bottom three after snatching a crucial late point at Nuneaton Town. Joe Ironside gave Nuneaton an early lead, but Jordan Murphy scored seven minutes from time to earn a share of the spoils.
Altrincham’s hopes of survival may look slim, but they have moved off the bottom of the table after victory at Boston United. Elliot Newby scored the only goal of the game after 30 minutes, as Altrincham moved a point ahead of Stalybridge Celtic.