National North Round-Up 15/04/2019

By Simon Hahn

National North Round-Up 15/04/2019

The latest action from our division

We officially confirmed our place in the National North for next season with an impressive 2-0 win at Boston United. Kit Elliott and Ben Jackson scored the second half goals to give us victory.

Both the top two suffered shock defeats as the race for the title looks set to go right to the wire.

Stockport County lost 1-0 at home to Blyth Spartans. Dan Maguire scoring the only goal inside the first 20 minutes. It takes Blyth to within three points of the final playoff place.

Chorley are still one point behind Stockport after they lost 5-3 at fifth place Altrincham. Jordan Hulme put Alty ahead inside the first ten minutes, but the remaining eight goals did not come until the second half. Thomas Hannigan doubled the hosts lead, before Courtney Meppen-Walter kept the title chases in the game. Shaun Densmore regained the two goal cushion for Altrincham, but Andrew Teague and Meppen-Walter brought Chorley level. However, it was Altrincham who would go on to take the points from a dramatic game with Densmore and James Poole scoring inside the final ten minutes.

Chorley host Stockport next weekend.

Bradford Park Avenue are sixth after a 1-0 win over relegated Nuneaton. Jake Beesley scored the only goal of the game for Bradford in the 57th minute.

Spennymoor Town beat fellow playoff hopefuls Brackley Town at the Brewery Field.  Ryan Hall gave the Brewers the lead, but just two minutes later Shane Byrne levelled from the penalty spot for Brackley. However, Spennymoor picked the crucial three points when top scorer Glen Taylor struck with 14 minutes left on the clock.

Teford remain in the final playoff spot with a 3-1 victory over mid-table Curzon Ashton. Stephan Morley scored twice in two first half minutes, with Andre Brown making it three just after half time. Oliver Crankshaw pulled one back for the Nash, but it was not enough.

FC United of Manchester are now seventh points off safety after they fell to a 1-0 defeat at home to Kidderminster Harriers. Joe Ironside scored the only goal for Harriers in the first half. They are four points behind Telford.

It looks like it will be between Guiseley and Ashton United for the final relegation place. The sides are separated by four points making their clash on Saturday hugely important. Guiseley opened the scoring in the 78th minute through Kingsley James, but Sam Sheridan ensured the game would be drawn four minutes later.

Leamington secured their position in the division next season with a 3-1 win over Leamington. Jordan Sinnott had put Alfreton ahead, but Callum Gitting, Jordan Murphy and Jack Edwards all scored to secure safety for the Brakes.

Hereford are also now mathematically safe despite a 1-0 defeat at Southport. Matthew Platt scored the only goal of the game in the 58th minute.

In the final game of the weekend Chester and York held each other to a 2-2 draw. Adriano Moke put York ahead shortly before half, but an own goal brought Chester level early after the break. Patrick Mclaughlin regained the lead for York, but George Waring scored with 17 minutes left to earn a share of the points for Chester.