Tom Bailey

This weekend, Yeovil Town found themselves on the correct end of a 2-1 win, as a Sonny Blu Lo-Everton double downed Oldham Athletic. Let’s take a look at what else went on in a hectic afternoon for the division!

We begin in Yorkshire, where the only opposition to Barnet’s title claims, York City, stuck 7 (Seven) past a sorry Aldershot Town, who finished the game with 10 men; Ollie Pearce scored a hat trick to take his league tally to 30 for the season, with Lewis Richardson chipping in with a double himself to extend the title race by a week. In another exciting, competitive fixture, Tamworth defeated Braintree Town, the hosts leading 3-2 at half-time before a late goal from Dan Creaney ensured the Lambs finished the game with all three points in an impressive return to the fifth division.

There were goals galore across the weekend, with two more sides hitting four – relegated Ebbsfleet United put four past Sutton United, as they continue their preparations for next season in the National League South, while Rochdale tucked four away at home to Eastleigh, keeping a clean sheet in the process; Kyle Ferguson made an appearance from the bench following his recall earlier in the day, playing 11 minutes.

The goals kept coming in the evening kickoff, as Gateshead clung on to take all three points back north against Yeovil’s next opponents, Forest Green Rovers. The Heed raced into a 3-0 lead, before a bizarre own goal and a Christian Dodge effort gave the hosts hope, but it was too little too late. Just when you think they’re down and out, Maidenhead United continue to surprise everyone – they travelled to FC Halifax Town and left as 2-0 victors, late goals from Sam Barrett and Shawn McCoulsky defeating a depleted Halifax.

Late goals rescued points for relegation battlers, as Dagenham & Redbridge salvaged a point at home to 10-man Hartlepool United, while in a lunchtime London derby, Wealdstone scored in the 80th minute to delay Barnet’s title celebrations for a weekend longer. There were three 1-0 wins to wrap things up, with Woking all but confirming that AFC Fylde will become the second relegated side this season, former Glover Dale Gorman bagging the only goal of the game, while Boston United jumped even closer to safety with a win at home to Altrincham, and finally Solihull Moors won on their travels in Jerry Gill’s first game as Interim Assistant Head Coach, as they defeated Southend United.

National League results – in full

Barnet 1-1 Wealdstone
Boston United 1-0 Altrincham
Dagenham & Redbridge 1-1 Hartlepool United
Ebbsfleet United 4-1 Sutton United
FC Halifax Town 0-2 Maidenhead United
Rochdale 4-0 Eastleigh
Southend United 0-1 Solihull Moors
Tamworth 4-2 Braintree Town
Woking 1-0 AFC Fylde
Yeovil Town 2-1 Oldham Athletic
York City 7-2 Aldershot Town
Forest Green Rovers 2-3 Gateshead

National League table

It was further heartbreak for Yeovil Town, as a late winner condemned the Glovers to defeat at Altrincham in a 2-1 loss. Let’s see what else went on in a busy day for the division’s sides…

We begin in County Durham, as a 94th minute winner from Sam Folarin rescued a victory for Hartlepool United over bottom side Ebbsfleet United in a 3-2 thriller, the hosts were made to work for their win as they were twice pegged back by their visiting opposition. There were big results in the relegation battle on Saturday, as Maidenhead United secured a huge 3-1 win at home against Tamworth, leaving them two points off safety and harming the Lambs’ playoff ambitions in the process, while AFC Fylde’s route to safety became a lot harder following a home defeat to title hunting York City.

There were slip ups for the other two sides in the top three to bottom half opponents, as Braintree Town continued a great end to their season under Steve Pitt with a 2-1 win over league leaders Barnet, ending their 25 league game unbeaten run in the process, while Wealdstone hero Alex Reid’s double downed Forest Green Rovers, both victors coming from behind to win their matches. Gateshead ended a run of eight league games without a win as they defeated relegation candidates Dagenham & Redbridge in a 2-1 result. Sutton United secured a point with a 94th minute Ashley Nadesan equaliser against Southend United, while an 89th minute equaliser from Tomas Galvin meant FC Halifax Town left Eastleigh with a point from the evening kickoff, both games ending in 1-1 ties.

Finally, there were three National League sides in FA Trophy action, and there was plenty of drama in both ties! Aldershot Town ensured they would make their first appearance at Wembley, coming from behind in controversial circumstances to defeat Woking 2-1. Cards midfielder Harry Beautyman was sent off for “elbowing” an opponent defender, with Lewis Walker nabbing a goal for the depleted visitors, but a James Henry penalty and a 92nd minute Jack Barham winner sent the Shots to the final.

In the other tie, Rochdale were pegged back twice by National League North side Spennymoor Town, before being knocked out on penalties. Devante Rodney gave the hosts the lead in the 48th minute, three minutes later Finley Shrimpton equalised for the visitors, before an Aidan Barlow penalty handed Rochdale the lead another three minutes later. Spennymoor kept themselves in contention with a dramatic 95th minute equaliser from Aidan Rutledge, before burying all five of their penalties during the shootout. Tarryn Allarakhia missed for the Dale, sending the Moors to Wembley and ensuring a first non all-National League final since Hornchurch won in 2020/21.

National League results – in full

AFC Fylde 1-3 York City
Altrincham 2-1 Yeovil Town
Braintree Town 2-1 Barnet
Gateshead 2-1 Dagenham & Redbridge
Hartlepool United 3-2 Ebbsfleet United
Maidenhead United 3-1 Tamworth
Sutton United 1-1 Southend United
Wealdstone 2-1 Forest Green Rovers
Eastleigh 1-1 FC Halifax Town

FA Trophy Quarter Final results (NL teams in bold)

Aldershot Town 2-1 Woking
Rochdale 2-2 Spennymoor Town (Spennymoor win 5-4 on pens)

National League table

Harvey Greenslade made it two wins on the bounce for Yeovil, as they defeated AFC Fylde at home in a 1-0 win, let’s see how the rest of the league got on…

We begin in Greater Manchester, where Rochdale sent Aldershot Town packing in an impressive 4-0 showing, boosting their playoff hopes while putting an end to Aldershot’s good run of form. The top two registered home wins in style too, as Barnet defeated Gateshead 3-1, while York City beat Wealdstone 3-0 to keep pace with the leaders.

Following their relegation to the National League South, Ebbsfleet United dusted themselves off to register a credible point at home to Altrincham, whose playoff hopes continue to fade in a 2-2 draw. In Lincolnshire, a 92nd minute James Gale goal lifted Boston United out of the drop zone for the first time since September with a 2-1 win against Sutton United, while Woking held on for all three points at home to Braintree Town. Tamworth staked their late claim for involvement in the playoff picture with an impressive 2-0 win over 10-man Eastleigh.

The remaining fixtures all finished in 1-0 scorelines, with the biggest result being at the bottom. Dagenham & Redbridge put a massive dent in Maidenhead United’s survival hopes with a home win. In the two televised fixtures, both home teams were victorious, with an Adam May screamer separating Forest Green Rovers and Solihull Moors, and Keenan Appiah-Forson proving the difference between Southend United and Oldham Athletic. Finally, Hartlepool United registered the only away victory of the day, as they left Yorkshire with all three points against FC Halifax Town.

National League results – in full

Forest Green Rovers 1-0 Solihull Moors
Barnet 3-1 Gateshead
Boston United 2-1 Sutton United
Dagenham & Redbridge 1-0 Maidenhead United
Ebbsfleet United 2-2 Altrincham
FC Halifax Town 0-1 Hartlepool United
Rochdale 4-0 Aldershot Town
Tamworth 2-0 Eastleigh
Woking 2-1 Braintree Town
Yeovil Town 1-0 AFC Fylde
York City 3-0 Wealdstone
Southend United 1-0 Oldham Athletic

National League table

A first win in five (in emphatic style no less) saw Yeovil leave the Midlands with all three points in a 3-0 win at Solihull Moors. Let’s see what the rest of the league got up to…

We begin at Aldershot Town, where Ebbsfleet United were confirmed as the first team to be relegated from the National League, following an entertaining 3-3 draw. The bottom placed side actually went into half-time 3-2 up, but a second half penalty by Tyler Frost ensured the points were shared, and sent the Fleet down to the National League South, ending a two year spell in the top flight of non-league football.

Hartlepool United ended Boston United’s six match unbeaten run with a big 4-1 win at home, ending their own torrid run of eight games without a win. It was a momentous day for the top of the table, with plenty of teams dropping points, two of which were former title contenders Forest Green Rovers and York City. The Gloucestershire outfit were handily defeated 3-0 away at AFC Fylde, while the Minstermen came unstuck in Essex, falling to a 2-1 defeat against an impressive Braintree Town side.

The playoff chase continues for Southend United, as they won 2-1 at Eastleigh to sit one point outside the post-season spots, while Oldham Athletic looked to close the gap on those above with a 2-0 win against fellow playoff hopefuls FC Halifax Town. Tamworth spoiled the party for Frank Nouble’s Gateshead as they left Tyne and Wear with all three points in a 2-0 win, while points were shared between Maidenhead United and Rochdale, and Sutton United and Dagenham & Redbridge.

There was late drama at Grosvenor Vale, as Kallum Cesay scored a 95th minute winner for Wealdstone, as they defeated Woking, while Barnet continued their march to the National League title with a 1-0 win against Altrincham in front of the DAZN cameras, courtesy of another Rhys Browne goal.

National League results – in full

Sutton United 1-1 Dagenham & Redbridge
AFC Fylde 3-0 Forest Green Rovers
Aldershot Town 3-3 Ebbsfleet United (Ebbsfleet are relegated)
Braintree Town 2-1 York City
Eastleigh 1-2 Southend United
Gateshead 0-2 Tamworth
Hartlepool United 4-1 Boston United
Maidenhead United 1-1 Rochdale
Oldham Athletic 2-0 FC Halifax Town
Solihull Moors 0-3 Yeovil Town
Wealdstone 1-0 Woking
Altrincham 0-1 Barnet

National League table

It was a narrow 1-0 defeat on Saturday for Yeovil, as they hosted playoff locks York City. Let’s see what else went on across the league on a sunny Saturday…

We begin in London, where a dream comeback went down, a “Wealdston-bul” if you will… Wealdstone came from 3-0 down at half time to tie 3-3 with Eastleigh. A double from Ludwig Francillette and a Tyrese Shade goal gave the Spitfires the lead, before a spirited comeback featuring a Tyler Walker opener and two Alex Reid goals meant the two sides shared the points.

Things went from bad to worse for Dagenham & Redbridge, as despite taking the lead in the first half, they went on to have a man sent off, and lose the game 3-1 to Tamworth, as Dan Creaney scored his 100th goal for the visiting Rams. FC Halifax Town scored three without reply as they strengthened their grip on a playoff spot with a win away to Sutton United. Southend United continued their good form with a 2-2 draw at Forest Green Rovers, the Shrimpers twice coming from behind to take their point.

Aldershot Town continued their recent uptick in form with a massive 2-1 win at Altrincham, lifting the visitors to 16th while the hosts drifted further from the playoff spots. In perhaps the upset of the day, Gateshead were defeated 2-0 at home by relegation-threatened Maidenhead United, the win lifted the Magpies out of the drop zone.

Both 1-1 results came in televised affairs, as the lunchtime kickoff saw two playoff hunters share the points in a derby day, as a late Vimal Yoganathan equaliser saw Oldham Athletic spare their blushes at home to Rochdale, while Manny Duku made it three goals in two games for Solihull Moors, grabbing a point away at Hartlepool United, former Glover Tom Parkes getting the goal for the hosts.

It took them 34 games (yes I went and counted), but it’s finally over… Ebbsfleet United won a football match. They defeated AFC Fylde at home in a 1-0 win, which prevented what feels like an inevitable relegation until next week. Boston United continued to stage their great escape with a 1-0 win away at Braintree Town, moving the Pilgrims to within three points of safety, with games in hand, while Barnet continued their title charge with a 1-0 win away at Woking, former Glover Rhys Browne finding himself on the scoresheet.

National League results – in full

Oldham Athletic 1-1 Rochdale
Altrincham 1-2 Aldershot Town
Braintree Town 0-1 Boston United
Dagenham & Redbridge 1-3 Tamworth
Ebbsfleet United 1-0 AFC Fylde
Forest Green Rovers 2-2 Southend United
Gateshead 0-2 Maidenhead United
Sutton United 0-3 FC Halifax Town
Wealdstone 3-3 Eastleigh
Woking 0-1 Barnet
Yeovil Town 0-1 York City
Hartlepool United 1-1 Solihull Moors

National League table

Further pain was inflicted upon Yeovil on Tuesday night, as they suffered a damaging 3-0 defeat at home to relegation battlers Boston United. Let’s take a look at what else went on in the league on Tuesday night.

There were only four fixtures in midweek for the National League (including Yeovil), so we’ll take a closer look at what went on. We’ll begin once again with Rochdale, who went into half-time goalless with Altrincham. However, three second half goals from Aidan Barlow, Jay Bird and Kairo Mitchell handed the Dale all three points in their playoff hunt. The defeat for Altrincham meant they fell out of the playoff spots, with Rochdale leap-frogging them, as well as having two games in hand on their Tuesday opposition.

We head back down south next to The New Lawn, where Forest Green Rovers hosted Sutton United. The hosts had a lead going into half-time, with Charlie McCann and Christian Doidge grabbing the goals against the run of play. Sutton gave it all they had after the break, and they got one goal back through Will Davies, who moved himself onto 14 goals for the season, but it wasn’t enough as they left Gloucestershire empty handed.

Finally, we head back north to Boundary Park, where Oldham Athletic defeated Eastleigh 2-0. The hosts took an early lead through January addition Billy Waters, and continued to assert themselves on the game before Joe Caprice added the second with around fifteen minutes left in the game. Eastleigh’s misery was compounded when debutant Nathan Tshikuna received a straight red card just before the end of the game.

National League results – in full

Forest Green Rovers 2-1 Sutton United
Oldham Athletic 2-0 Eastleigh
Rochdale 3-0 Altrincham
Yeovil Town 0-3 Boston United

National League table

It was so close yet so far for Yeovil, as they were defeated 1-0 by FC Halifax Town at The Shay. Let’s take a look at what else happened in a big day across the division!

We begin in Greater Manchester, where Rochdale easily defeated Wealdstone in a 4-1 win to continue their playoff charge, the hosts now sit 8th with a couple of games in hand on those ahead of them. Aldershot Town secured a massive three points in their struggle near the bottom, as they held their nerve following an extended break in play due to a medical incident in the crowd to defeat Gateshead 3-1. Jai Rowe was the hero for Tuesday’s visitors Boston United, as they twice came from behind to take a point in their battle against the drop against Woking.

Southend United continued their playoff hunt with a big 2-1 win over Altrincham, while Solihull Moors finally registered their first win under Matt Taylor, albeit in dramatic circumstances, as a Manny Duku double downed a drowning Ebbsfleet United. Braintree Town continued their good run under Steve Pitt with a 2-0 win at AFC Fylde, the hosts’ relegation concerns growing. It was a huge day for title implications, as York City and Forest Green Rovers faced off in the evening kickoff, and following the full-time whistle, it was a point apiece as the two sides drew 1-1, perhaps a sign that the title race could be reaching a conclusion…

There were two further 1-1 draws on Saturday, as Oldham Athletic’s stuttering form continued at Tamworth, while Eastleigh and Hartlepool United shared the points in Hampshire. The final side in the title race, and the side that benefitted from York and Forest Green’s tie was Barnet – a 93rd minute winner from Lee Ndlovu gave the Bees a 1-0 win over Dagenham & Redbridge at lunchtime, leaving them 11 points clear at the top, and further sinking their opposition into a relegation battle. Finally, Sutton United picked up a 1-0 win at Maidenhead United.

National League results – in full

Barnet 1-0 Dagenham & Redbridge
AFC Fylde 0-2 Braintree Town
Aldershot Town 3-1 Gateshead
Boston United 2-2 Woking
Eastleigh 1-1 Hartlepool United
FC Halifax Town 1-0 Yeovil Town
Maidenhead United 0-1 Sutton United
Rochdale 4-1 Wealdstone
Solihull Moors 2-1 Ebbsfleet United
Southend United 2-1 Altrincham
Tamworth 1-1 Oldham Athletic
York City 1-1 Forest Green Rovers

National League table

It was a car crash of an evening for Yeovil on Tuesday night, as they lost 5-0 at Barnet. Let’s see what happened across the rest of the league.

We begin in the Midlands , where Tamworth climbed up the table with a convincing 4-1 win over Wealdstone, Nathan Tshikuna scoring a double as they left their visitors sitting in the bottom four. A chaotic 90 minutes went down at York Road, as Maidenhead United and Braintree Town shared the points in a 3-3 draw, both sides having led the game at one point in the game. Another exciting result came at Roots Hall, where Southend United and Woking played out a 2-2 draw to keep their respective playoff and survival ambitions alive.

There were huge implications in the title race on Tuesday, with not only Barnet winning, but other title contenders losing; FC Halifax Town defeated Forest Green Rovers 2-1 at home, while Altrincham won on their travels to York City, leaving the Bees with a 9 point lead at the top. At the other end of the table, AFC Fylde came from behind in the first half to win 2-1 at home against Hartlepool United to boost their hopes of avoiding the drop.

Eastleigh continued their push for the playoffs with a steady 2-0 win at home against Ebbsfleet United, while it was a point apiece for Solihull Moors and Sutton United. There was a big result at Deepdale, as Rochdale defeated Gateshead 1-0 to keep their playoff ambitions alive, while there were 0-0 draws for Boston United and Oldham Athletic, and Aldershot Town and Dagenham & Redbridge.

National League results – in full

AFC Fylde 2-1 Hartlepool United
Aldershot Town 0-0 Dagenham & Redbridge
Barnet 5-0 Yeovil Town
Boston United 0-0 Oldham Athletic
Eastleigh 2-0 Ebbsfleet United
FC Halifax Town 2-1 Forest Green Rovers
Maidenhead United 3-3 Braintree Town
Rochdale 1-0 Gateshead
Solihull Moors 1-1 Sutton United
Southend United 2-2 Woking
Tamworth 4-1 Wealdstone
York City 1-2 Altrincham

National League table

Yeovil made it three games without defeat as they drew 2-2 at home against Southend United. Let’s see how the rest of the league got on, as well as taking a look at the remaining NL teams in the FA Trophy…

We begin with the basement boys Ebbsfleet United, as their wait for a second win of the season continued with defeat at home to Tamworth. The hosts actually took the lead, but three goals in five minutes shortly before half-time left the Fleet with a hill to climb. They pulled one back but fell to a 23rd league defeat in 35 games. Dagenham & Redbridge’s relegation concerns were deepened with a home defeat to Boston United, the hosts took the lead through Josh Rees but the visitors came from behind to secure a huge three points in their own battle against the drop.

At the other end of the table, Barnet continued their march to the title with a comprehensive 3-0 win at Oldham Athletic, while Forest Green Rovers got back to winning ways in a 2-0 win against Maidenhead United. In the evening kickoff, AFC Fylde came from behind to secure a point against Gateshead in a 1-1 draw. York City left Durham with all three points, as they won 1-0 at Hartlepool United, while Braintree Town did the double over Eastleigh in a 1-0 win.

Into the FA Trophy, where six of the last eight teams were National League sides. Woking kept themselves in the tournament by the skin of their teeth as they edged a penalty shootout against Oxford City, in which ‘keeper Will Jääskeläinen saved three penalties and scored the winner for the Cardinals. It was the end of the road for Step 8 side Sittingbourne, as they lost at home to Aldershot Town. A surprise came near London, as Sutton United lost 2-0 at home against National League North side Spennymoor Town, and finally, Rochdale made it to the semi-finals with a home win against Altrincham.

National League results – in full

Braintree Town 1-0 Eastleigh
Dagenham & Redbridge 1-3 Boston United
Ebbsfleet United 2-3 Tamworth
Forest Green Rovers 2-0 Maidenhead United
Hartlepool United 0-1 York City
Oldham Athletic 0-3 Barnet
Yeovil Town 2-2 Southend United
Gateshead 1-1 AFC Fylde

FA Trophy Quarter Final results (NL teams in bold)

Sittingbourne 0-3 Aldershot Town
Oxford City 2-2 Woking (Woking win 2-1 on pens)
Rochdale 2-0 Altrincham
Sutton United 0-2 Spennymoor Town

National League table

It’s two wins in a row for the first time since November for the Glovers, as they handily defeated Maidenhead United away from home in a 2-0 victory. Let’s see how the rest of the league got on!

We begin in London, where Wealdstone made it three wins on the trot with a comeback win over basement boys Ebbsfleet United. The bottom placed side had the lead for about 10 minutes in the first half, but braces for Alex Reid and Harrison Sohna handed the Stones another vital three points. There was another big result for a side around the bottom, as Aldershot Town secured a late victory at home to Hartlepool United, as Josh Barrett scored in the 94th minute to hand the hosts the points.

It was four-galore for Barnet, as they easily defeated Rochdale at Deepdale to extend their lead at the top of the table to nine points, former Glover Rhys Browne among the goal scorers for the Bees. Solihull Moors’ difficult start under Matt Taylor continued with a 3-1 loss at home to Gateshead.

There was late drama in both 2-2 results today, as Oldham Athletic rescued a point at Dagenham & Redbridge courtesy of a 95th minute equaliser from Joe Pritchard, while a 99th minute equaliser from Callum Howe spared York City’s blushes at home against FC Halifax Town, the hosts ending the game with 10 men in a Yorkshire derby.

AFC Fylde secured a massive 2-1 win away to Altrincham to keep their survival hopes alive, while a late Connor Teale goal wasn’t enough to rescue a point for Boston United, as they lost to Eastleigh. We finish the roundup with a trio of 1-1 ties, as Forest Green Rovers were held by Woking, Tuesday’s visitors Tamworth shared the points with next weekend’s visitors Southend United, and 10 man Sutton United drew with Braintree Town.

National League results – in full

Aldershot Town 3-2 Hartlepool United
Altrincham 1-2 AFC Fylde
Boston United 1-2 Eastleigh
Dagenham & Redbridge 2-2 Oldham Athletic
Forest Green Rovers 1-1 Woking
Maidenhead United 0-2 Yeovil Town
Rochdale 0-4 Barnet
Solihull Moors 1-3 Gateshead
Sutton United 1-1 Braintree Town
Tamworth 1-1 Southend United
York City 2-2 FC Halifax Town
Wealdstone 4-2 Ebbsfleet United

National League table