Non League Focus - Table Topping York and More - Saturday 14th September 2024

1. Stags Succumb to Defeat

Heavy league favourites and unbeaten table-toppers AFC Totton made the trip to Dorset to face Dorchester Town in the Southern League Premier South. The evergreen Charlie Austin gave Totton the lead early, but Dorchester battled back in the second half. Declan Rose fouled Shaquille Gwengwe, setting up Olaf Koszela to equalise from the penalty spot. Koszela scored his second goal shortly after that, cutting in from the left and shooting into the lower corner.

After Wayne Robinson finished off a perfectly placed through-ball, Dorchester increased their advantage to 3-1. Scott Rendell halved the deficit during stoppage time as Totton pressed late, but they could not overcome Dorchester's lead. As a result, Totton suffered their first league loss of the year, in front of a bumper 643-strong crowd at the Avenue Stadium.

2. Victory at last for Matlock

Matlock have endured a torrid start to their Northern Premier League Premier Division campaign, picking up just two points from their opening eight games. The Gladiators were in dire straits, even losing 8-0 away to Worksop and were on the back of back-to-back 2-0 defeats.

However, Matlock finally got their first win of the season at home to Workington - despite going down to ten men after 27 minutes and going 0-1 down thanks to a 38th-minute David Symington strike. Second-half goals from youngster Curtis Durose and Charlie Oglesby saw Matlock claim their first win of the season and saw Workington slide further down the table.

3. Minstermen March On

York defeated AFC Fylde 3-0 to move up to the top of the National League standings. Harry Davis of AFC Fylde was sent off late in the first half, and the Minstermen took advantage of their numerical advantage.

Five minutes into the second half, Nathaniel-George broke free and set up Marvin Armstrong to score York's first. Maintaining pressure, York quickly doubled their lead when Lenell John-Lewis, set up by Akinyemi, finished with clinical precision.

Fylde attempted to battle back, and Charlie Jolley had a few nice opportunities, but they were unable to make headway. Just before full time Callum Harriott's composed goal for York City sealed the victory.

Adam Hinshelwood's side now sit two points clear of the chasing pack after four straight wins, keeping three clean sheets in this period. They face difficult trips to Aldershot and Solihull Moors to try and maintain their impressive start.

4. Gateshead Gutted

Despite going into the weekend top of the National League, Gateshead were dismantled away at Dagenham and Redbridge - losing 7-1.

Rob Elliot's side were unbeaten heading into this clash and were priced as favourites. Goals from Dion Pereira and Josh Rees put the Daggers 2-0 in front after 16 minutes. A Paul Kalambayi own goal gave the visitors false hope going into the second half, but the Head collapsed - conceding five goals in a disastrous second half.

While this result is not Gateshead's record defeat, it has the potential to be a damaging one as they chase a first-ever promotion to the Football League. They host second-place Forest Green in their next game.

5. Scott Morriss Again

When Harry Cardwell was sold to Forest Green, The Shrimpers were concerned at the lack of goal threat, However, Gus Scott-Morris has stepped up with crucial goals for Kevin Maher's side.

The right-back scored in the opening-day draw with York, before blanking in the 0-0 draw at Hartlepool. He then scored four goals in a row, including a last-minute equaliser against rivals Dagenham and Redbridge. A blank against Eastleigh followed, before goals in the defeats to Sutton and AFC Fylde.

The 27-year-old now has seven goals this season - only Nick Haughton has more. It is surely a matter of time before a Football League club comes in for the talented right back.

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