January has now come to pass and after a mixed month on the pitch for Darlington, what occurred around the league?

Chester had a month to remember, being the only team in the league to win all but one of their fixtures, with wins over Buxton, Leamington, Alfreton, Spennymoor, Scarborough, Radcliffe, and Peterborough Sports and a draw against Southport at the beginning of the month. This has helped Chester ascend to the top of the Vanarama National League North. Other in-form teams include Scunthorpe (4W, 1D, 1L) and Brackley (4W, 2L), who occupy second and sixth respectively.

At the other end of the table, Warrington have had the worst month, losing all their games bar one to Marine, King’s Lynn, Kidderminster, and Needham Market, and drawing with Farsley. Farsley rank as the second worst team in January, losing four and drawing two, and Alfreton took third worst, winning once and losing four. Warrington occupy 22nd in the table, Farsley sit 20th, and Alfreton have fallen out of the playoffs and now sit 11th, three behind Darlington and seven points off the playoffs.

January also had a managerial change. Farsley Celtic parted ways with Pav Singh as manager after four months in charge and Farsley sitting 20th and replaced him eight days later with Neil Redfearn, who has so far drawn two and lost one. Singh returned to the club as Redfearn's assistant. This was the only managerial change in January, with every other club holding onto their manager going into February. Farsley are currently level on points with Rushall, who sit 21st and in the final relegation spot.

Team of the Month

In terms of my team of the month, who has shone this January in the National League North?

• Goalkeeper: One of our own in Peter Jameson as he conceded three goals across January.

• Defenders: Louis Hall from Rushall, Harrison Burke from high-flying Chester, and Jordan Richards from Curzon Ashton.

• Midfielders:

  • Callum Roberts of Scunthorpe (contender for player of the month). The former Newcastle man had a superb month and was the only player to make two Vanarama Team of the Week squads.

  • Declan Weeks from league leaders Chester.

  • Kian Ryley from Rushall, who scored thrice in January.

  • Tommy Hughes from King’s Lynn.

• Forwards:

  • Fin Roberts joined Chester on loan from Crewe Alexandra and scored twice from three appearances.

  • Danny Whitehall from Scunthorpe, having scored three from four in the league this season.

  • Connor Hall from Brackley, who scored five goals this month.

League Standings and Key Fixtures Ahead

So where does January leave the decisive places in the league? The title fight certainly got more interesting with eight points separating 1st and 5th. Chester are in the driving seat, with Scunthorpe four points behind with a game in hand, and Kidderminster, Curzon, and King’s Lynn sit on 50 points, eight behind the leaders and four behind second place.

The playoff picture is closer still with Buxton in 7th on 47 points and South Shields in 14th being ten points behind. Chorley, Hereford, Darlington, Alfreton, Spennymoor, Peterborough, and South Shields all make up the chasing pack trying to hunt down Buxton and secure a playoff spot.

At the other end of the table, the relegation battle is also heating up with seven points separating bottom-of-the-table Needham Market (25 points) and 17th placed Leamington, who sit on 32 points.

February Fixtures to Watch

So, onto February, where Chester take on Kidderminster in the biggest game of the month. Needham take on Farsley and Oxford in games that could be crucial to their survival this season!