Tom Bailey (Page 4)

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

Yeovil finally registered their first win of 2025 on Tuesday night, as they came from behind to win 2-1 at home to Tamworth! Let’s see what the rest of the league got up to in chilly midweek conditions across two nights!

We begin in the north, where Gateshead triumphed over Sutton United in a 4-3 thriller, the visitors coming back from 2-0 down to take the lead via a belter from Lewis Simper, before the Heed staged a comeback themselves to take all three points. There were huge implications in the title battle, as Barnet defeated York City 3-1 to move seven points clear of their opponents. The Bees were the better side throughout the 90 minutes, and have built themselves a healthy gap at the top with 13 games to go…

On Wednesday night, Eastleigh disposed of a free-falling Dagenham & Redbridge in a 3-0 scoreline, leaving the visitors just four points from the drop and boosting the Spitfires up to 10th in the table. In further relegation drama, Wealdstone came from behind at Braintree Town to win 2-1, jumping out of the relegation zone in the process.

There were three more 2-1 results, all on Tuesday night; all three goals came late at Victoria Park as Hartlepool United were defeated at home to Altrincham, AFC Fylde started life without Kevin Phillips with defeat, as Boston United secured a vital three points in their fight against the drop, and Southend United condemned Aldershot Town to the bottom four with their win at home.

In a big shock, Saturday’s hosts Maidenhead United took all three points back to Berkshire in a 1-0 win at Oldham Athletic, Shawn McCoulsky scoring the only goal of the game for the Magpies. Woking secured a 1-0 win over Solihull Moors on Wednesday night, the final Wednesday night fixture was a 0-0 draw between FC Halifax Town and Rochdale, and the final Tuesday night fixture saw Ebbsfleet United hold Forest Green Rovers to a 0-0 draw at home.

National League results – in full

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

National League table

It was disappointment on Yeovil’s return to Huish Park on Saturday, as they fell to a 2-1 defeat against Wealdstone. Let’s see what else went on this weekend in the National League.

We begin at table toppers Barnet, who inflicted further defeat on Matt Taylor’s Solihull Moors in a 3-1 victory, with January arrivals Dom Telford and Lee Ndlovu bagging the goals for the title chasers. In contrasting fashion, it was a first league defeat since September for title hunting Forest Green Rovers, as Braintree Town impressed in a 2-0 win to take themselves five points clear of the drop. Another 2-0 home win came at Eastleigh, who defeated Aldershot Town to end a run of four defeats in all competitions.

Ebbsfleet’s wait for a first win since September continues, courtesy of an Ollie Pearce brace as the Fleet lost 2-0 at home to York City, while there were 1-1 draws a plenty, as AFC Fylde and Dagenham & Redbridge shared the points, a late own goal by Scott Hogan rescued a point for Southend United against a visiting Rochdale, and a late equaliser for Tuesday’s visitors Tamworth meant they left Woking with a point. There were 1-0 wins for playoff contenders, as FC Halifax Town and Altrincham defeated Boston United and Gateshead respectively.

Finally, there were goalless draws for Hartlepool United and Maidenhead United, and Oldham Athletic and Sutton United.

National League results – in full

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

National League table

There has been plenty of league action since the defeat at Rochdale, but we don’t care about that, we’re here for Yeovil! The Glovers took a step in the right direction with a 1-1 draw against Dagenham & Redbridge last weekend, let’s see what else happened on a brisk Saturday!

We begin at this Saturday’s opponents Wealdstone, who were thoroughly beaten by Gateshead in a 4-0 drubbing, leaving them three points from safety while Gateshead continued to keep pace in their playoff hunt. Altrincham put an end to Braintree Town’s impressive form, furthering their own good run with a 3-1 win at home, Alex Newby and Regan Linney both scoring and proving why they’re one of the most potent attacking sides in the division. It was far from a warm welcome back for Neal Ardley, as his Woking side were disposed of away at former employers York City, with January signing Josh Stones bagging a hat trick in a 3-0 win.

There were late goals in all three 2-1 scorelines on Saturday, and we’ll start at The New Lawn as Forest Green Rovers continued their title charge with a 2-1 win over Eastleigh, a 90th minute winner becoming a familiar sight for the Gloucestershire side. An 86th minute own goal by Jack Taylor handed Hartlepool United the three points away at Sutton United, while a 101st minute goal from Nathan Tshikuna was only a consolation, as Tamworth lost at home against FC Halifax Town.

The rest of the weekend was a fairly low scoring affair, as Solihull Moors continued their winless start to life under Matt Taylor with a 1-0 defeat at home against Oldham Athletic, and in a big result for the bottom end of the table, Maidenhead United won 1-0 at home against Southend United. Finally, the two lowest place sides frustrated playoff and title contenders respectively, as Ebbsfleet United took a point away from Rochdale, and Boston United sent 10-man Barnet home with a point, both games finishing 0-0. Aldershot Town and AFC Fylde’s fixture was postponed due to a unsafe playing surface.

National League results – in full

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

National League table