National League North round-up as Harrogate and Salford City march on

(Picture: @TownPix)
By Gary Hutchings
It was business as usual in the National League North last night with both Harrogate Town and Salford City cruising to easy wins.
For Town, their 4-1 victory on the road at struggling Southport was their fourth win on the bounce, and was another warning shot to the rest of the league from Simon Weaver’s impressive side.
The league leaders, despite missing in-form strikers Simon Ainge and Jake Wright, made short work of Southport with Jordan Thewlis bagging a hat-trick; his opener coming after just 30 seconds. Joe Lesley scored the visitors’ fourth goal after Gary Roberts had netted for Port in the 55th minute.
Salford, too, made light work of their opponents, seeing off Nuneaton Town with a convincing win.
A brace of headers from Louis Maynard and a drilled effort from outside the box by Anthony Dudley had the points all but sealed shortly after the half-hour mark.
Promoted from the Northern Premier last season, Blyth Spartans are looking more and more at home playing Step 2 football after their 2-0 win against Chorley at Croft Park. Nathan Bundle opened the scoring in the 56th minute, and Chorley then saw Stephen Jordan dismissed after a goal-mouth melee following the goal.
Despite the ten-men Magpies being proving tough to break down, Dan Maguire wrapped up the points for Alun Armstrong’s men in the 85th minute with a fine solo effort.
Five goals were shared at New Bucks Head between AFC Telford and Stockport County, with the home side edging home 3-2.
Goals from John Marsden and Anthony Dwyer were cancelled out by Matt Warburton and Bohan Dixon, before Jordan Murphy hit the winner in the 72nd minute.
There was more misery for basement boys North Ferriby, who were thumped 6-0 at home against Spennymoor, the goals coming from Mark Anderson (3), Chris Mason, Glen Taylor and Kallum Griffiths served up Ferriby’s largest home defeat in senior football.
Elsewhere, Tamworth saw off Kidderminster Harriers 2-1, while Alfreton and York shared the points against Brackley Town and Gainsborough Trinity respectively.