National North Round-Up 16/04/2018

National North Round-Up 16/04/2018

We secured our place in the National North next season with a 2-1 win away to FC United of Mancheste...

We secured our place in the National North next season with a 2-1 win away to FC United of Manchester. Josh Gillies and Reece Styche scored the important goals which leave us 12th in the league.

Salford stayed three points clear at the top of the league with a 2-0 win away to Nuneaton Town. Nicholas Haughton and Carl Piergianni scored the goals in the first half for the Ammies to keep themselves in control of the destiny of the title.

Harrogate are still hot on Salford’s heals though after winning by the same score line at home to Southport. Mark Beck opened the scoring inside the first five minutes with George Thomson sealing the victory shortly after half-time.

Brackley’s hopes of the title were all but ended after they lost 3-1 at home to Alfreton who took a huge step towards safety. Chris Sharp scored twice along with a Brendan Daniels strike to put Alfreton 3-0 up at half time. Aaron Williams pulled one back for Brackley, but it was not enough. Alfreton moved up to 16th with victory four points ahead of Tamworth who are currently third bottom.

Kidderminster Harriers have all but secured their playoff spot after a 2-0 win at home to Tamworth Joe Ironside and Elton Ngwatala scored the goals in quick succession in the second half to give Harriers victory. Tamworth are in the relegation zone, two points off safety and with only two games remaining.

Stockport County’s fantastic run continued at home to struggling Telford United. Darren Stephenson scored the only goal of the game for the hosts to leave them in fifth six points ahead of Chorley one place below them. Telford are still in danger at the other end just one place outside the drop zone.

Chorley moved into the top seven after a 2-0 win at home to Blyth Spartans. Alex Newby scored just before half time with Marcus Carver sealing the win in the 64th minute.  Blyth drop to 10th and it looks like their playoff challenge is over.

York City’s playoff hopes took a huge blow with a shock 1-0 defeat at second bottom Gainsborough Trinity. Brandon Fleming was sent off in the 24th minute for Trinity, despite this Ashley Worsfold put them ahead on 54 minutes and they were able to hold on for the 1-0 win.  York dropped to eighth and have played more games then Chorley and Spennymoor who are directly above them. Trinity remain second bottom but are now only four points off safety.

Leamington and Curzon Ashton held each other to a 0-0 draw and both sit on 45 points three ahead of Tamworth.

In the final game on Saturday Bradford PA won 2-1 away to Boston to keep alive their outside hopes of a play off place. Jordan Keane had given Boston the lead, but Adam Boyes scored a double including the winner in stoppage time for Bradford.