Chesterfield Drop More Points, Solihull Win & Southend Held: National League Game Week Review – Opinion

Following last weekend’s matches, the battle within the playoff and survival races were certainly heating up, but with numerous key matches taking place, what went down in the National League this weekend?

Heading into Saturday’s matches, Chesterfield had the perfect opportunity to extend their lead at the top as they faced second-place Bromley. Meanwhile, there were crucial games at the bottom as Kidderminster Harriers hosted Dorking Wanderers and Southend United travelled to Oxford City.

However, the battle for the playoff places continued to tighten, with some sides split by just a couple of points as we move towards the business end of the National League season.

With that being said, let’s dive into this weekend’s National League matches…

The gap closes at the top

Chesterfield had the perfect opportunity to extend their lead over Bromley to 26 points as the two sides met this weekend in what’s become a two-horse race for the title and it isn’t exactly a close one…

However, despite Will Grigg, Tom Naylor and a goal-of-the-season contender from Ollie Banks, it was Bromley who sealed all three points and have kept the title race alive for now.

Michael Cheek secured a hat-trick before a 94th-minute winner from Sam Woods has seen the gap close to 20 points between the two sides, with just 13 league games to go.

Play-off competition intensifies

With Chesterfield and Bromley facing each other, the door continued to be open for the remaining five play-off places and with the exception of third-place Barnet, there are six teams split by just three points with four places up for grabs in the National League.  

Solihull Moors took full advantage of their match with out-of-form Rochdale to reclaim fourth place in the division. Tahvon Campbell returned to haunt his former club with a goal and an assist to secure a 2-1 victory for Andy Whing’s side. 

Oldham Athletic, Gateshead and FC Halifax Town also won in their respective 3pm kick-offs to continue piling on the pressure on the play-off places, with Gateshead securing an impressive 4-2 away win against Wealdstone. Meanwhile, Hartlepool United remained tenth following their victory against Boreham Wood but remain seven points off the top seven. 

These results increased the pressure on both Altrincham and Aldershot Town in Saturday’s evening kick off in front of the TNT Sports cameras. However, Phil Parkinson’s Altrincham failed to reclaim their spot off Solihull Moors after they were beaten 2-0 to Aldershot Town who returned to the top seven. 

The battle for survival 

Despite a lot of the focus being on the battle for the promotion places, the race to avoid relegation continued to excite many National League neutrals with several different position changes occurring over the last two rounds of matches.

Bottom side Oxford City gained a point against relegation rivals Southend United, with the visitors being reduced to ten men after Nathan Ralph was sent off. Phil Brown’s Kidderminster Harriers extended their unbeaten league run to five matches despite being held by Dorking Wanderers who themselves continue to fight to avoid relegation. 

Michael Doyle’s Woking were narrowly beaten by Halifax Town and have dropped down a place in the table. This came as a result of Ebbsfleet United securing a crucial 3-0 win against Eastleigh, who have since parted ways with their manager in response to the result, leaving the Spitfires within four points of the bottom four. 

York City also gained a point against Dagenham & Redbridge whilst AFC Fylde had their unbeaten run ended by third place Barnet. These results meant that Ebbsfleet United were the only side in the bottom half to record a victory on Saturday afternoon. 

What’s next?

The National League are back in action on Tuesday evening as club’s continue their respective battles at both ends of the table, with 22 of the 24 club’s involved. Wealdstone’s fixture against Dorking Wanderers has been postponed due to the Stones facing Hendon FC in the FA Trophy, with the winner hosting Solihull Moors in the quarter-finals. 

Chesterfield will be aiming to end a two-match winless run as they travel to FC Halifax Town, whilst Bromley host Dagenham & Redbridge. Meanwhile, Aldershot Town host Barnet in the fixture of the round closely followed by a huge relegation battle between Ebbsfleet United and Woking. 

Let us know on Twitter (@LSMSportsNews or @CallumLSM) how your club faired this weekend and what affects you think the result will have on the remainder of the season.