Vanarama National North Round-Up 25/04/2017

Vanarama National North Round-Up 25/04/2017

Our final home game of the season saw a Mark Beck penalty seal a 1-0 victory over Telford United. Th...

Our final home game of the season saw a Mark Beck penalty seal a 1-0 victory over Telford United. The result kept us in fourth place in the league going into our last match at Salford City. Despite the defeat, Telford’s survival in the division was confirmed due to other results.

AFC Fylde clinched promotion and the league title after a 3-0 win at Boston United.  The league’s top scorer Danny Rowe bagged a brace along with a goal from Matty Hughes to seal a historic promotion for the club.

That resulted resigned Kidderminster Harriers to the play-offs, but the point they gained at Gainsborough Trinity guarantees they will be at home in the second leg of their semi-final. Nathan Jarman gave Trinity the lead with Andre Brown earning a 1-1 point for Harriers.  The point was a huge one for Trinity, who are one point ahead of Worcester and the final relegation place going into next weekend’s games.

Worcester will need to pick up a result next Saturday to have any chance of staying up after losing 2-1 at home to play-off chasing Salford City.  Mike Phenix gave Salford the lead before half-time, but the Ammies finished the half with ten men following a second yellow card. Jordan Murphy looked to have earned a point for Worcester, but Nick Haughton scored a late winner for Salford. The win moved Salford up to fifth and means unless our appeal is overturned a point will be enough for them next week to clinch a play-off place.

Halifax Town secured their play-off spot with a 3-0 win over Curzon Ashton.  Richard Peniket gave the Shayman the lead, with Dion Charles and Danny Hone sealing the win.

Chorley were held to a 2-2 draw at Gloucester and are now in sixth behind Salford on goal difference. Luke Hopper gave Gloucester an early lead before Dale Witham levelled for Chorley. Joe Hanks regained the lead just four minutes later from the penalty spot for Gloucester. However, Jason Walker equalised on the stroke of half-time for the visitors.  With sixth likely to be enough for a play-off place, they need to remain ahead of Stockport County who are currently two points behind them.

Stockport County scored two late goals at Bradford Park Avenue to keep their play-off hopes alive. Josh Amis gave County the lead with Danny Lloyd sealing the victory in stoppage time.

Stalybridge Celtic were relegated after losing 4-0 at home to Tamworth. Dan Newton scored a hat-trick for the visitors along with a goal from Ben Fox. Despite having two games remaining, Celtic are now seventh points from safety and cannot survive.

Alfreton Town are safe after earning a draw at bottom of the table Altrincham. Andy Monkhouse gave Alfreton just before half-time, but an own goal meant they had to settle for a 1-1 draw.

Brackley Town won 2-1 away at Harrogate Town. James Arnson and Alex Gudger put Brackley in control and they held for victory despite a consolation from Joe Leesley.

Nuneaton Town finished their home campaign with a 4-1 defeat against FC United of Manchester.  Sam Sheridan gave FC United the lead before Jordan Nicholson levelled on the stroke of half-time for the hosts. However, despite this Jordan Fagbola, Matt Wolfenden and George Thomson scored in the second period of FC United to seal the victory.