Conference North review 1 Nov 2014

That was possibly the worst day of the season so far for County as most of the clubs above them in the table claimed three points. As if that wasn't bad enough two sides below won to push the Hatters down to 9th in the table 3 points adrift of the play-offs.

The teams that climbed above County included the side that inflicted AFC Fylde's first defeat since the third game of the season back in August. Fylde took the lead at Boston United through Jamie Allen (18). As half time neared they surprisingly lost their lead when Zac Mills (39) scored and there was a further shock for the Coasters as former County defender Carl Piergianni (45) gave Boston the lead at the interval. Piergianni added another four minutes into the second half to complete the victory with Boston's keeper contributing by saving Richie Allen's injury time penalty.

Also climbing above the Hatters were Hednesford Town. They were held until nearly half-time by struggling Stalybridge Celtic but a Steve Diggin (45) goal then opened the floodgates. Diggin scored two second half penalties (79 & 90) and a brace from recent signing Richard Batchelor (59 & 84) repeated his debut performances last week. That made it 8 goals in two away games for Town who moved into the lowest play-off spot.

Back at the top of the table and Fylde's defeat allowed Barrow to take over the top spot. In the only game between sides above County pre kick-off it was they who took the lead through Andy Cook (44). Visitors Guiseley were unable to find a response.

The other play off places are now occupied by Solihull Moors and Chorley. Moors condemned Hyde to their 11th defeat of the season. Ryan Beswick (8) struck early on and he added a second on 61 minutes before Darryl Knights (76) completed the 3-0 win.

Chorley looked to have their game wrapped up within the first half hour. Jack Dorney's 18th minute opener was followed by a speedy brace from Josh Hine (21 & 33) leaving Gainsborough Trinity facing defeat. Goal number four came from Dale Whitham (29). Trinity did stage a second half fight back with Liam Davis (50) making it 4-1 and Simon Russell (72) making it 4-2. However, their third goal from Dominic Roma didn't come until injury time.

The Vanarama Conference North table could have looked even worse for County given Oxford City were also leading, 3-1, at half time. They went ahead on 10 minutes at North Ferriby United through Darren Pond. North Ferriby levelled the scores through Mark Gray (28) but it was a false dawn as the visitors responded with two more goals of their own before half time as avier Rodriguez (32) and Pond (33) completed the first half scoring. North Ferriby turned the result around i the second half as Tom Denton (62), Nathan Jarman (67) from the penalty spot and Jamie Yates (78) sent the visitors home pointless and to add to their woes their latest Spanish recruit Francisco Insa was red carded.

That home defeat for Stalybridge Celtic mentioned earlier saw them to drop to next to bottom as Tamworth and Gloucester City both recorded away victories. Tamworth took the lead at Cemetery Road through Brendon Daniels (13) but Chib Chilaka (18) soon levelled things. The visitors responded well to this set-back and by half time held a 4-1 lead as Reece Styche (37) and Kayden Jackson (39) scored in quick succession and Daniels (45) added his second. In the second half Bradford Park Avenue scored he only additional goal through Ryan Qualter (52).

For Gloucester City it was a visit to Lowestoft Town that allowed them to record a 3-0 win. After a goalless first half Matt Groves (56) gave City the lead. Then two goals in 8 minutes from Billy Jones (81) and Harry White (88) meant a happy trip home. White bnevcaeom City's 15th different goal scorer this season.

That leaves us with a couple of games to cover - and they both ended in draws. Brackley Town and visitors Colwyn Bay shared goals in the first 10 minutes of their game. Marc Williams (8) put the Welshmen ahead but they quickly conceded a penalty which was converted by Ryan Rowe (10). No further goals were added.

Meanwhile Leamington looked like they were going to have a fairly easy day with a Matt Dodd brace (14 & 26), the second from the penalty spot, establishing a 2-0 lead. That should have of what should have been a comfortable win. Worcester had other deas and pulled a goal back through Jordan Murphy (39). It was Mike Symons (87) goals that claimed a point for City.

CURRENT TABLE

County will now need to look at taking advantage of successive home games to get back in amongst those leading clubs - not least with trips to Chorley and AFC Fylde coming up soon afterwards during November. The current table is shown below.

Pos		PL	W	D	L	F	A	GD	PT
1	Barrow	14	10	2	2	32	14	18	32
2	AFC Fylde	14	10	1	3	35	11	24	31
3	Solihull Moors	15	8	3	4	35	19	16	27
4	Chorley	14	8	3	3	26	18	8	27
5	Hednesford T	16	7	4	5	25	17	8	25
6	Boston U	15	7	3	5	25	24	1	24
7	Oxford C	17	7	3	7	33	36	-3	24
8	Guiseley	14	6	5	3	25	17	8	23
9	COUNTY	14	7	2	5	26	20	6	23
10	North Ferriby U	14	6	4	4	23	19	4	22
11	Worcester C	15	5	6	4	16	17	-1	21
12	Colwyn Bay	15	5	5	5	23	23	0	20
13	Harrogate T	15	5	4	6	17	20	-3	19
14	Leamington	15	5	3	7	22	24	-2	18
15	Lowestoft T	14	4	4	6	13	22	-9	16
16	Brackley T	14	4	4	6	9	20	-11	16
17	Gainsborough Tr	14	4	3	7	17	23	-6	15
18	Bradford PA	15	4	3	8	21	34	-13	15
19	Tamworth	14	2	8	4	15	21	-6	14
20	Gloucester C	14	2	6	6	21	30	-9	12
21	Stalybridge Cel	14	3	2	9	15	26	-11	11
22	Hyde	16	1	4	11	20	39	-19	7

TOP SCORERS

Kristian Dennis's goal at Harrogate sees him join the second placed men on the divisional top scorer list with four other men, ahead of his three game suspension. All of them are 3 behind top scorer Omar Bogie. If FA Cup goals are added in Kristian lies second on his own with 11 goals, one behind Bogie and Fylde's Richie Allen - who will be looking to add to his 4 FA Cup goals next weekend.

CN Tot
12	Omar Bogie	Solihull Moors
9	Kristian Dennis	COUNTY
9	Dayle Southwell	Boston U
9	Adam Boyes	Guiseley
9	Andy Cook	Barrow
9	Stefan Moore	Leamington