A midweek set of fixtures in the National League this week with all 24 teams in action on Tuesday evening and plenty of goals across a few games.
Halifax Town slumped to a disappointing 2-0 defeat at home to Maidstone in a game which can be summed up in one word: frustrating. Town struggled to create any chances against a resilient Maidstone defence and paid the price as the away side took their chances and went home with the three points. A first half goal from Joe Pigott and a second half penalty which was tucked away by Jai Reason condemned Town to their sixth game without a win and an all-round underwhelming performance.
AFC Fylde picked up all three points in their first game in the league since the 7th October following their abandoned game with Maidstone as they came out 2-0 winners at home to Wrexham. Jonny Smith and Jack Muldoon punished the 3rd placed side who lose ground on leaders Dover Athletic who were victorious in their fixture.
Dover managed to achieve a resounding 3-1 victory against a very strong Woking side who currently sit in the playoff places in 5th place. A big victory for the home side, who have Ryan Bird thank following his first half brace before Manny Parry added a third for the home side. Joe Ward’s finish wasn’t enough for the away side who have suffered their second defeat in two games.
There was nothing to split Sutton United and Aldershot Town as their game finished 2-2. Four goals in the first half kept this game even and keep both teams in contention for a play-off spot. Sutton got the game underway early as Louis John opened the scoring in just the 4th minute, however both teams were clinical and the points were shared at The Electrical Services Stadium.
Maidenhead took the spoils in what appeared to be a great game as they travelled to Bromley and came away with a 3-2 victory at Hayes Lane. Again, all goals in the first half however it was Adrian Clifton who stole the headlines, grabbing an 18-minute hat trick to secure the win for Maidenhead who climb into 11th place in the National League. Goals from Wanadio and Rees kept the score level until the 35th however it wasn’t to be and to add insult to injury, George Porter saw red in the 93rd minute.
Another five-goal thriller, this time between Chester and Barrow, with the former also grabbing themselves a 3-2 victory at the Deva Stadium. Chester found themselves two goals to the good as they approached half time, however two quick fire goals from Adi Yussuf and Byron Harrison in the 45th minute levelled the scoring just before half time. However, heartbreak for Barrow as Lucas Dawson fired home in the 94th minute to give all the points to Chester in this one.
Second placed Macclesfield dropped points for the first time since they were hammered by Maidstone back in September as they fell to a slightly surprising 1-0 defeat to Dagenham and Redbridge. Morgan Ferrier grabbing the only goal in the 50th minute proved to be enough for the home side to clinch victory and keep them in the hunt for the playoff places as they sit in 6th position, exactly joint with Aldershot Town.
Solihull Moors picked up their third win of the season as they picked up a 2-1 victory away to Eastleigh. Goals from Jermaine Hylton and Oladapo Afolayan saw off the challenge of the home side and a much-needed win for the side which remain bottom of the National League however they are now joint on points with 23rd place Torquay and will be looking to hit a run of form that can propel them out of the relegation zone.
However, Solihull’s job will be made a lot harder if Torquay continue their run of form, as they avoided defeat for the second game running, as they beat Ebbsfleet 1-0 at Stonebridge Road. This result comes just three days after their creditable draw away at Halifax and the side look like they’re building momentum to force themselves out of the drop zone. A Jamie Reid stunner earned Torquay their first away win of the season.
Hartlepool and Tranmere’s bottom end of the table clash finished all square as this tie finished 1-1 at Victoria Park. Two goals in seven minutes from Nicky Daverdics of Hartlepool and Jay McEveley of Tranmere split the points here with both sides now without a win in two games and look like they could be at risk of slipping into the relegation battle if results don’t pick up.
Another side that could be at risk of falling into danger is Leyton Orient as they fell to defeat against Gateshead, losing 2-0 at home. An early and a late goal from ex-Shayman Jordan Burrow sunk The O’s and this sees Leyton Orient drop to 19th and pressure will be growing on manager Steve Davis if he can’t start picking up results.
Finally, Guiseley and Boreham Wood played out a goalless draw at Nethermoor Park, which is a respectable point for the home side who now sit in 21st compared to Boreham Wood’s 9th place position. Guiseley stretch their unbeaten run to three games following this result, whereas Boreham Wood are now five games without defeat in all competitions this season and look to have their eye on the play off positions if they can keep this run of form going.
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