VANARAMA NATIONAL DIVISION
CURRENT TABLE - TOP EIGHT ONLY
| POS | TEAM | P | GD | PTS | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SALFORD CITY | 18 | +20 | 38 | 2.12 |
| 2 | WREXHAM | 18 | +14 | 38 | 2.12 |
| 3 | LEYTON ORIENT | 18 | +23 | 37 | 2.06 |
| 4 | HARROGATE TOWN | 18 | +16 | 36 | 2.00 |
| 5 | AFC FYLDE | 18 | +22 | 35 | 1.94 |
| 6 | SOLIHULL MOORS | 18 | +8 | 35 | 1.94 |
| 7 | GATESHEAD | 18 | +10 | 32 | 1.78 |
| 8 | SUTTON UNITED | 17 | +4 | 30 | 1.76 |
Just eight points seperating the current top eight of the Vanarama National Division gives a clear indication what an exciting season it's been so far and what is in store for fans of the teams involved with Hartlepool United, Eastleigh (one of the form teams of the division in the last six games) and last season's play-off finalist loser's Boreham Wood amongst the teams pushing upwards towards the play off zone.
What is refereshing in a league that has been topped by a former football league side each time in the last six seasons is only Wexham and Leyton Orient are former football league sides currently in the top eight of the table.
Harrogate Town and Solihull Moors are most certainly the teams who can be classed as "punching above their weight" and that is by no means a criticism more of a compliment on how well they are doing this season. The Moors were odds on for relegation last season but a transformation of form in the second half of the campaign saw them finish eighteenth.
I think nobody associated with Harrogate Town (who finished second in the north division behind big spending Salford City and then won the play-offs) would of expected them to be on 36 points from 18 games with just two defeats at home to Leyton Orient and recently away at Dagenham & Redbridge whose form has improved after a number of signings made under new ownership following a difficult start to the season. The Yorkshire side's odds have been reduced from 28/1 in June to 10/1 today as you can see from the below table.
The two sides relegated from the football league in Chesterfield and Barnet were rated at 7/1 and 12/1 in June but they are now 1500/1 and 66/1 following their results in the first seventeen/eighteen games. The Bees are in 12th place with Chesterfield just one point above the relegation zone on 16 points from 18 games played. Could it be three successive relegations in as many seasons for The Spireites? Fans of former football league side's York City and Stockport County (currently in the Vanarama North) will be able to tell Chesterfield fans this is most definitely possible.
The two sides relegated from the football league in Chesterfield and Barnet were rated at 7/1 and 12/1 in June but they are now 1500/1 and 66/1 following their results in the first seventeen/eighteen games. The Bees are in 12th place with Chesterfield just one point above the relegation zone on 16 points from 18 games played. Could it be three successive relegations in as many seasons for The Spireites? Fans of former football league side's York City and Stockport County (currently in the Vanarama North) will be able to tell Chesterfield fans this is most definitely possible.
ODDS COMPARISON (via skybet.com)
| TEAM | JUNE 28th | NOV 1st |
|---|---|---|
| SALFORD CITY | 5/1 | 5/4 |
| WREXHAM | 12/1 | 11/2 |
| LEYTON ORIENT | 12/1 | 11/4 |
| HARROGATE TOWN | 28/1 | 10/1 |
| AFC FYLDE | 14/1 | 8/1 |
| SOLIHULL MOORS | 40/1 | 14/1 |
| GATESHEAD | 40/1 | 50/1 |
| SUTTON UNITED | 18/1 | 18/1 |
Salford City lost games two and three (to Gateshead and Sutton United) of their campaign but since are unbeaten in fifteen league games - they are now firm 5/4 favourites for the title with most bookmakers. I'm sure they won't find it as easy as those odds suggest with Wrexham, The O's and AFC Fylde amongst the sides expected to push them all the way.
Without doubt the game of the day for Saturday is Leyton Orient's trip to AFC Fylde. The East London side are unbeaten in the league away from home winning five and drawing four of their nine games played away from Brisbane Road.
If Fylde could of transferred some of their amazing home form of seven wins, one draw and one defeat to their away form of two wins and seven draws in nine games played they would be easily top of the table. At 8/1 they could be the best bet of the current top eight to challenge for the title. Sould they beat Orient on Saturday I'm sure they may be trimmed to 6/1 or 5/1. Both teams are the only two left with just one league defeat so far.
FORTHCOMING KEY FIXTURES
Saturday 3rd November
AFC Fylde v Leyton Orient
As detailed above the 5th v 3rd in the table clash is a real mouth watering game.
Eastleigh v Salford City
The Hampshire side held Orient to a 1-1 draw in their last home game on Tuesday and have won four of their last six games making it a tricky trip for the table toppers.
Wrexham v Gateshead
2nd v 7th - A very important game for both sides. The Welsh club could go top of the table with a win pending the result of other games.
Saturday 24th November
Solihull Moors v Salford City
Another tricky trip for the title favourites. I'm sure The Moors will wanting to give a good account of themselves here. These are the sort of games Salford need to win if they are to be league winners.
Wrexham v Leyton Orient
A massive game in North Wales between two huge clubs. Likely to be well attended by both groups of supporters.
Tuesday 27th November
Salford City v Harrogate Town
The big games keep coming for Salford as they face the surprise team of the season in Harrogate Town.
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