KHAnalytics02 is back with another Non-League in focus - including a heroic comeback from Woking.
Darren Sarll returned to the Kingfield Stadium as manager of Hartlepool, but it was not a happy homecoming for the 41-year-old.
Amongst the chasing pack for promotion to the EFL is Woking. The Surrey-based side now find themselves just four points away from league leaders Eastleigh, and right in the mix for promotion, despite off-field worries to start the season.
It was not all plain sailing for the Surrey side, a brace within ten minutes spelt trouble for The Cardinals, with Joe Grey providing two excellent finishes to give Hartlepool United an early advantage.
Jack Hunter was booked twice in quick succession, and by the 25th minute was given his marching orders and gave Woking a route back into the game, which they took unmercifully.
Second-half goals from Matt Ward and Tunji Akinola ensured Woking’s route back into the game, and just as it was looking like the spoils would be shared, veteran Harry Beautyman scored a late winner, ensuring Woking’s promotion push would continue. Matt Ward was the star of the show, and the Cardinals know they face a tough battle to keep their star player.
Woking will travel to Rochdale on Saturday, whilst Hartlepool host Braintree Town.
Fifth-placed Hereford played host to 21st-placed Radcliffe in the National League North, leading to a phenomenal encounter between the two sides at either end of the table.
Within the first 15 minutes, the visitors took an early two-goal lead with goals from Jamie Morgan and Brad Roscoe making it a fantastic start.
However, Aaron Skinner pulled one back for the hosts just four minutes later, with an own goal from the unfortunate Rick Smith making the scores level just before the interval.
The second half brought more drama, with Josh Hancock putting the away side ahead once again, and the visitors would have been coming home with a vital three points was it not for a late Tate Campbell equaliser to ensure that the hosts would not leave empty-handed.
Hereford will take on mid-table Brackley away from home on Saturday, as they look to bolster their promotion push. Radcliffe will host Kings Lynn, in what is sure to be another thriller.
Weymouth’s season has not exactly got off to a flying start, with The Terras yet to gain a point in the National League South. After a difficult end to the last campaign, they stayed up comfortably but have now failed to win any of their last five matches.
Weymouth remains the only side in the sixth tier, north or south, to be without a point in their opening five fixtures, and this record is only made worse when considering that the Terras have not scored in their past five games. The previous game ended with a 1-0 defeat at home to Eastbourne Borough, who find themselves in seventh place, and next up for the Terras is league leaders Slough Town, away from home.
Eastbourne Borough will face Dorking Wanderers at home next time out.
With Scunthorpe slip-ups looking rare in the early stages of the season, every game will be seen as a must-win for the chasing pack in the National League North, and Kidderminster Harriers appear to be the best match for The Iron after five games, being just one point adrift.
Kidderminster flattened Oxford City in their most recent fixture on Bank Holiday Monday, winning 4-0.
A 23rd-minute goal from Benjamin Beresford opened the scoring, and five minutes later Ashley Hemmings doubled the Harriers’ lead before first-half stoppage time saw Maziar Kouhyar make it 3-0 before the half-time whistle.
Things went from bad to worse for Oxford City, as the relegation strugglers went down to ten men with former QPR centre-back Cole Kpekewa getting a straight red card for them. Kpekewa’s dismissal was capitalised on by a fluid Kidderminster side, with Sebastian Blake Thompson confirming the three points in the 86th minute.
A rampant display from the Harriers bodes well as they look for a place in the National League next season.
Maidenhead have had an extremely disappointing start to their National League season, with the Berkshire-based side having gained just one point from their opening four fixtures going into the Bank Holiday weekend. Maidenhead hosted Barnet on Bank Holiday Monday as they ensured their first win of the season.
The Magpies took the lead through their midfield star man Reece Smith, who latched onto the ball before going round the keeper and slotting home into an empty net. Tristan Abrahams then doubled the host’s lead before halftime, but an own goal from club veteran Alan Massey was not enough to dampen the home sides’ spirits, especially not after Smith doubled his tally and put the game out of reach for Barnet.
Maidenhead have now accumulated 4 points from their opening five fixtures, with the win against Barnet shooting Maidenhead out of the relegation zone. Based on the Magpies’ historically woeful away record, results like this will be vital for the Magpies to survive the fifth tier.
Barnet now sit in fifth position, four points behind the league leaders Eastleigh.
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