National North Round-Up 10/10/2017

By Ray Simpson

National North Round-Up 10/10/2017

Our first game after the departure of Martin Gray saw us draw 1-1 with Stockport County at Blackwell...

Our first game after the departure of Martin Gray saw us draw 1-1 with Stockport County at Blackwell Meadows. Despite taking a lead through Terry Galbraith early in the second half a stoppage time goal from County saw us share the spoils.

Harrogate Town moved clear at the top of the table thanks to a late winner at Curzon Ashton. Joe Leesley gave the visitors the lead after just ten minutes before Christopher Rowney levelled fifteen minutes later. However, Mitchell Curry popped up three minutes from time, as Harrogate won the game 2-1 and are now three points ahead of Salford City who are second.

That is after the Ammies suffered a surprise defeat at home to Leamington 3-2. Michael Phenix levelled twice for Salford after Robert Thompson-Brown and Connor Gudger twice put the visitors ahead. However, Salford had no response when Kurtis Revan scored four minutes from time to win the game for Leamington.

The North East pair of Blyth Spartans and Spennymoor Town are locked on the same points and the same goal difference five points behind Salford. Blyth continued their fantastic run as they hammered Nuneaton Town 6-3 at Croft Park.  Ashley Chambers had given the visitors the lead, but a double from Dan Maguire and a Dale Hopson strike put Blyth in control at the break. Niall Heaton made it 3-2, but further goals from David Mctiernan and another two from Hopson as he completed his hat-trick sealed the game for Blyth. Chambers scored his second in the final few minutes for Tommy Wright’s Nuneaton, but it was just a consolation.

Spennymoor left it late at Southport, but picked up a crucial victory. David Foley gave the Brewers the lead, before Jack Sampson looked to have snatched a point for Southport two minutes from time. However, Glen Taylor won the game for Spennymoor in stoppage time, as they came away with a 2-1 win.

Brackley Town lost 2-1 at York, as Martin Gray won his first game in charge to move the Minstermen up to sixth. Jon Parkin gave York an early lead, before Aaron Williams levelled for Brackley. However, Parkin grabbed his second four minutes from time to win the game for York.

Chorley moved up into the playoff places with a 2-0 win at Alfreton Town. Nicholas Haughton scored both goals for Chorley either side of half time.

Tamworth lost 2-1 at home to Gainsborough Trinity who moved to within a point of safety. Reece Styche gave Tamworth the lead just before half time. However, Nathan Jarman levelled right at the start of the second half for Trinity, before Bradley Wells won the game for them with seven minutes to go.

Bradford Park Avenue and Kidderminster Harriers drew 1-1 leaving both just outside the playoffs. Adam Nowakowski gave Bradford the lead, before Emmanuel Sonupe earned a point for Harriers just eight minutes later.

Telford are level on points with ourselves after a 2-1 win at home to Boston United. Shane Sutton scored at both ends first for Telford, then an own goal to bring the Pilgrims level. However, Anthony Dwyer won the game for Telford on the stroke of half time.

North Ferriby United and FC United of Manchester held each over to a 3-3 draw which doesn’t really do either side that much good, with both still in the relegation places. Thomas Walker gave the visitors the lead, but Kudarwashe Muskwe levelled just a minute later. Two quick goals at the start of the second half from Stephen Brogan and another from Muskwe put North Ferriby in control 3-1. However, Thomas Greaves and Steven Irwin earned a point for FC United of Manchester.