Player And Goalkeeper Of The Month Awards
Tue 8th January 2013 | League Awards | By Ian Templeman
The player and goalkeeper of the month awards for December have been announced.
PLAYER OF THE MONTH AWARDS
PREMIER DIVISION - MICHAEL ELLISON OF RUNCORN LINNETS
In a month that saw the revolving door at The Millbank Linnets Stadium turning almost non-stop, with players and staff arriving and leaving on a seemingly daily basis, incoming manager Joey Dunn would have been looking for players to step up to the plate and show the willingness to battle for the difficult few games ahead. Nobody at the club typified that spirit and desire more than Michael Ellison.
Ellison marshalled the troops at Ashton Athletic as Runcorn romped to an emphatic victory, and his quick thinking in keeping the ball alive for Sean Breen to score at Squires Gate made sure the Linnets started the month with two wins from two. Ellison’s work rate in the two games came in for special praise.
This work rate continued at Colne, particularly with two superb, hard and fair challenges in the first half gave Runcorn the upper hand, and had the midfielder's powerful strike rebounded into the goal off the post instead of outwards and to safety, there may well have been a different outcome to the game. It would also have provided Michael with his first Linnets goal in his 66 outings, a wait that surely will come to an end soon.
When Joey Dunn handed home debuts to five more players in the Boxing Day derby, he would certainly have been looking for established players to take responsibility and and ensure that the new players settled quickly. Michael Ellison provided the glue to hold things together as the Linnets battled for a deserved point in the dismal December rain.
His desire and commitment in throwing himself in front of a visiting foray as well as his attitude and command of the centre of the pitch ensured yet another Man of The Match award for the popular player, and topped off an outstanding month's performances from him.
In a month where the goalscoring exploits of youngsters Sean Breen and Ross McDowell took the headlines, the role of Michael Ellison in ensuring a solid start to this new era in the history of the club cannot be under estimated.
DIVISION ONE - KEVIN POLLARD OF ASHTON TOWN
Kevin only arrived at the club in November from fellow Division One rivals Formby, but he has settled in brilliantly. In the first game of the month in December he opened his scoring account with a goal in the 7-1 win against Northwich Villa.
The following week in the away victory at Daisy Hill, he produced another dominating midfield display, in which he added another couple of goals. The first goal in particular was a magnificent looping header, which earned applause from both sets of supporters.
Kevin is a quiet lad off the field but has admitted to really enjoying his football under John Brownrigg, and everyone at the club is hoping that he can continue to produce the type of form he showed during December.
GOALKEEPER OF THE MONTH AWARDS – SPONSORED BY REUSCH
PREMIER DIVISION - SEAN DAVIS OF PADIHAM
Sean has played in all but four of Padiham's 29 competitive fixtures this season, keeping ten clean sheets, three of which were recorded in December when Padiham won all five of their fixtures played. A consistently good shot stopper and an intricate part of a Padiham defence that has only conceeded 23 goals in their 21 league games played, Sean is also an enthusiastic trainer, keen to improve his all round performances and standing over six feet tall, more than holds his own when dealing with opposition crosses.
A local lad, who lives in a house just behind the goals at Padiham Football Club's Arbories Memorial Sports Ground, his performances in December were outstanding, and he played a major part in the team's fine run of form, which saw them not only record four league wins but also beat Evo-Stik League side Bamber Bridge in the Lancashire Co-Operative Challenge Cup.
DIVISION ONE - NATHAN BRABIN OF ASHTON TOWN
Nathan has been one of Town's stand out performers in their excellent run of form this season. His continual instructions and motivation of of his back four and the team in general is first rate and a big encouragement to his team mates.
His positioning and ability in one on one shot stopping situations is outstanding and usually demonstrated in every match, when he makes saves to a regular high standard, giving great confidence as a last line of defence.
In three key games during December he conceded just one league goal in two games, and that was a penalty in the 7-1 victory over Northwich Villa. His clean sheet at Daisy Hill, only came about after he made a spectacular second half save to prevent Richard Smith's header from finding the net.
His ball handling skills in the very sticky playing conditions experienced during December, was, in the view of the management team, one of the major factors which that enabled the team to collect two impressive league victories which subsequently led to manager John Brownrigg winning the Manager of the Month for December, the second time he has won it this season.
RESERVE DIVISION - ADAM JUDGE OF RUNCORN LINNETS
Adam started the month largely as a spectator in the Linnets Reserve team goal as they crushed Heath Rangers from Division Five of the Warrington And District League 9-0 in the Runcorn & District Saturday Cup Second Round.
Adam was then awarded the captain’s armband as he inspired the Linnets Reserves to outstanding victories over Silsden Reserves (7-1) and Barnoldswick Town Reserves (2-0), before being called up into manager Joey Dunn’s first team squad.
Adam then finished the month playing a huge role in Linnets' Premier Division 1-1 draw with their local rivals Runcorn Town in front of almost 500 fans at The Millbank Linnets Stadium.
Adam's has been a name that has been bandied around the Linnets faithful for a few seasons as a wonderful local talent, and the Linnets fans had witnessed his potential in performances at Formby, Chester and Warrington Town, and there was no concealing the pleasure on the Millbank Terraces as Adam made his full debut on Boxing Day.
His early save from Paul Shanley set the tone for his commanding performance, and despite a yellow card for a clumsy challenge, Adam gave an impressive and confident goalkeeping debut in the first team that should give manager Joey Dunn one less headache in the coming months, whilst Reserve boss Jay Maddock will be seeking to replace his mercurial shot stopper and skipper!
Player And Goalkeeper Of The Month Awards
Tue 8th January 2013 | League Awards
By Ian Templeman
The player and goalkeeper of the month awards for December have been announced.
PLAYER OF THE MONTH AWARDS
PREMIER DIVISION - MICHAEL ELLISON OF RUNCORN LINNETS
In a month that saw the revolving door at The Millbank Linnets Stadium turning almost non-stop, with players and staff arriving and leaving on a seemingly daily basis, incoming manager Joey Dunn would have been looking for players to step up to the plate and show the willingness to battle for the difficult few games ahead. Nobody at the club typified that spirit and desire more than Michael Ellison.
Ellison marshalled the troops at Ashton Athletic as Runcorn romped to an emphatic victory, and his quick thinking in keeping the ball alive for Sean Breen to score at Squires Gate made sure the Linnets started the month with two wins from two. Ellison’s work rate in the two games came in for special praise.
This work rate continued at Colne, particularly with two superb, hard and fair challenges in the first half gave Runcorn the upper hand, and had the midfielder's powerful strike rebounded into the goal off the post instead of outwards and to safety, there may well have been a different outcome to the game. It would also have provided Michael with his first Linnets goal in his 66 outings, a wait that surely will come to an end soon.
When Joey Dunn handed home debuts to five more players in the Boxing Day derby, he would certainly have been looking for established players to take responsibility and and ensure that the new players settled quickly. Michael Ellison provided the glue to hold things together as the Linnets battled for a deserved point in the dismal December rain.
His desire and commitment in throwing himself in front of a visiting foray as well as his attitude and command of the centre of the pitch ensured yet another Man of The Match award for the popular player, and topped off an outstanding month's performances from him.
In a month where the goalscoring exploits of youngsters Sean Breen and Ross McDowell took the headlines, the role of Michael Ellison in ensuring a solid start to this new era in the history of the club cannot be under estimated.
DIVISION ONE - KEVIN POLLARD OF ASHTON TOWN
Kevin only arrived at the club in November from fellow Division One rivals Formby, but he has settled in brilliantly. In the first game of the month in December he opened his scoring account with a goal in the 7-1 win against Northwich Villa.
The following week in the away victory at Daisy Hill, he produced another dominating midfield display, in which he added another couple of goals. The first goal in particular was a magnificent looping header, which earned applause from both sets of supporters.
Kevin is a quiet lad off the field but has admitted to really enjoying his football under John Brownrigg, and everyone at the club is hoping that he can continue to produce the type of form he showed during December.
GOALKEEPER OF THE MONTH AWARDS – SPONSORED BY REUSCH
PREMIER DIVISION - SEAN DAVIS OF PADIHAM
Sean has played in all but four of Padiham's 29 competitive fixtures this season, keeping ten clean sheets, three of which were recorded in December when Padiham won all five of their fixtures played. A consistently good shot stopper and an intricate part of a Padiham defence that has only conceeded 23 goals in their 21 league games played, Sean is also an enthusiastic trainer, keen to improve his all round performances and standing over six feet tall, more than holds his own when dealing with opposition crosses.
A local lad, who lives in a house just behind the goals at Padiham Football Club's Arbories Memorial Sports Ground, his performances in December were outstanding, and he played a major part in the team's fine run of form, which saw them not only record four league wins but also beat Evo-Stik League side Bamber Bridge in the Lancashire Co-Operative Challenge Cup.
DIVISION ONE - NATHAN BRABIN OF ASHTON TOWN
Nathan has been one of Town's stand out performers in their excellent run of form this season. His continual instructions and motivation of of his back four and the team in general is first rate and a big encouragement to his team mates.
His positioning and ability in one on one shot stopping situations is outstanding and usually demonstrated in every match, when he makes saves to a regular high standard, giving great confidence as a last line of defence.
In three key games during December he conceded just one league goal in two games, and that was a penalty in the 7-1 victory over Northwich Villa. His clean sheet at Daisy Hill, only came about after he made a spectacular second half save to prevent Richard Smith's header from finding the net.
His ball handling skills in the very sticky playing conditions experienced during December, was, in the view of the management team, one of the major factors which that enabled the team to collect two impressive league victories which subsequently led to manager John Brownrigg winning the Manager of the Month for December, the second time he has won it this season.
RESERVE DIVISION - ADAM JUDGE OF RUNCORN LINNETS
Adam started the month largely as a spectator in the Linnets Reserve team goal as they crushed Heath Rangers from Division Five of the Warrington And District League 9-0 in the Runcorn & District Saturday Cup Second Round.
Adam was then awarded the captain’s armband as he inspired the Linnets Reserves to outstanding victories over Silsden Reserves (7-1) and Barnoldswick Town Reserves (2-0), before being called up into manager Joey Dunn’s first team squad.
Adam then finished the month playing a huge role in Linnets' Premier Division 1-1 draw with their local rivals Runcorn Town in front of almost 500 fans at The Millbank Linnets Stadium.
Adam's has been a name that has been bandied around the Linnets faithful for a few seasons as a wonderful local talent, and the Linnets fans had witnessed his potential in performances at Formby, Chester and Warrington Town, and there was no concealing the pleasure on the Millbank Terraces as Adam made his full debut on Boxing Day.
His early save from Paul Shanley set the tone for his commanding performance, and despite a yellow card for a clumsy challenge, Adam gave an impressive and confident goalkeeping debut in the first team that should give manager Joey Dunn one less headache in the coming months, whilst Reserve boss Jay Maddock will be seeking to replace his mercurial shot stopper and skipper!
