National League Round Up

The Final Day of the regular season was a busy one with every one of the 22 remaining sides kicking off together at 12:30.

With plenty in the play-off spots still to be decided there was a lot on the line up and down the country,

In the end all important 3rd place spot went the way of Stockport who’s narrow victory over the Glovers was enough to secure themselves a spot in the semi finals at the expense of Hartlepool.

‘Pool did all they could by beating W*ymouth 4-0, but they are now planning for an eliminator fixture in the end of season shake up.

There was still plenty to be decided in the race for 7th place too, Wrexham couldnt beat Dagenham (1-1) meaning that Bromley, Chesterfield and Notts County will all join Hartlepool in the first stage of the play-offs.

Eastleigh and Halifax also stood a chance of getting in the play-offs, but they couldnt get wins on the final day, losing to Solihull and Chsterfield respectivley.

The shock of the day was Champions Sutton losing to Barnet 2-0.

Wins for Wealdstone (4-2 over Woking) and Maidenhead (4-1 over Boreham Wood) were joined by an eight-goal thriller between King’s Lynn and Aldershot with the points shared to finish off the season.

All the best to all those involved in the play-offs.

There were ten games across the National League this Saturday, no fewer than 41 goals, two red cards, only two sides failed to score (Boreham Wood and W*ymouth) and there’s still plenty to play for.

Top of the table Sutton face Hartlepool on Sunday lunchtime, so Torquay had the chance to close the gap on the leaders, a chance they squandered letting a 2 goal lead slip at home to Barnet.

3rd place Stockport, who face the Glovers on the final day, drew as well, 1-1 vs Woking.

Notts County won 3-0 against them lot in Claret and Blue, to give them a guaranteed top seven finish, Wrexham and King’s Lynn played an eight-goal thriller, the Welsh side coming out on top 5-3.

Wins for Chesterfield (2-1 v Dagenham) and Bromley (2-3 v Aldershot) mean the play off picture looks very tight, especially with Eastleigh beating Boreham Wood 1-0.

Eastleigh have a game in hand on the sides above them and could jump into the play-off spots before the final day fixtures.

In midtable, Halifax beat Maidenhead 2-1, Solihull gave Wealdstone a thrashing, winning 4-1 and of course, Yeovil and Altrincham shared 5 goals, with the Glovers coming out on the wrong side of the 3-2 score line.

There are three games this coming Tuesday before the final round of fixtures next sunday where all 11 matches will kick off at 12:30pm.

The National League took another step closer to completion this evening with five more games on the schedule – but only four took place.

Solihull Moors clash with lowly Barnet was postponed due a waterlogged pitch, it leaves Solihull still having to squeeze four games in to finish off their campaign.

Of the games that did take place, in addition to the 0-0 draw between Yeovil and Maidenhead, there were wins for Notts County, Eastleigh and Boreham Wood – all away from home.

County won 1-0 at Wrexham in a game that could prove pivotal in the race for play-off spots, Jake Reeves with the only goal.

Eastleigh went to Aldershot and won 3-1, and Boreham Wood were winners against W*ymouth by the same margin.

It leaves the vast majority of sides with just two left to play, with some sides still having only played 39 or 38 games.

 

It’s somewhere between game week 34 & 37 across the National League and Gary Johnson’s Torquay sit a point clear of Sutton at the top of the league, following the Gulls’ 3-1 win against Eastleigh at Plainmoor. Sutton, with a game in hand, also won 3-1 today at home to Aldershot.

In those key playoff positions, Hartlepool taught Furlough Chesterfield a lesson the other 3-1 score line today. Wrexham continue to dream of Hollywood in 6th, after two Luke Young penalties helped them to a 2-1 win against Solihull Moors. Halifax, the Glovers’ opponents on Bank Holiday Monday, fell to defeat at Stockport County with a certain Paddy Madden scoring the only goal of the game.

Notts County picked up a point away to 17th place Altrincham, while Kings Lynn and Maidenhead played out a scoreless draw.

No-hopers Barnet lost 0-2 to Dagenham & Redbridge at The Hive and the scummers won 4-2 away at Woking.

And, finally, the mighty Gloves won 2-0 away at Wealdstone with goals from Tom Knowles and Joe Quigley.


You can view the latest table here