Player And Goalkeeper Of The Month Awards
Fri 6th December 2013 | League Awards | By Ian Templeman
PLAYER OF THE MONTH AWARDS
PREMIER DIVISION - KEVIN TOWEY OF RUNCORN LINNETS
Kevin Towey re-joined Linnets in October and has featured in every game since, playing with a renewed vigour, attitude and approach, and turning in his finest performances in a yellow and green shirt in his second stint at the club.
With Towey having featured heavily in the impressive wins that rounded off October, Runcorn’s first outing in November was at Booth Street, Congleton, a ground that hasn’t been particularly lucrative for points in the past. Fuelled by the creativity of Mark Houghton and Towey, Runcorn coasted to a 4-0 victory, with the newly re-signed wide man having a major part in the goals.
Towey played a lesser part in the Cheshire Senior Cup win at Alsager, with Linnets boss Joey Dunn rotating the squad with an eye on the following game against then league leaders Maine Road.
Towey started that game with real intent, and opened the scoring himself moments after almost setting up Matt Atherton for an opening goal, and he was denied a second by quality goalkeeping from Greg Hall. The disappointment on the players faces at the final whistle, despite drawing the game was evident, and Towey, ever a fan’s favourite, was quick to comment about both disappointment and the desire to bounce back from the draw on various social media.
Kev has never made secret of his status as a Runcorn Linnets fan, he stood on the terraces at Canal Street to watch Runcorn FC, and has often been known to stand with the fans at The Millbank Linnets Stadium and join in with the singing too.
He promised a reaction to the dropped points and that came with a superlative performance at Bacup and Rossendale Borough. Towey went on an early, mazy run, finally lost the ball, then won it back instantly and released Mark Houghton who finished with aplomb - just reward for great perseverance from Towey. He and Matt Atherton tormented the Bacup defence, as Runcorn won 3-1, the two protagonist’s and Mark Houghton releasing one another for chances with an uncanny understanding of each others game.
Towey was provider for the majority of the home game against Wigan Robin Park, setting up both Ross McDowell and Kyle Hamid, before McDowell got on the end of a great Towey pass to score his second of the game. In the second half he combined well to set up Michael Duffy, before his impudent back heel shot was well saved.
Wigan came back to draw level, but if Runcorn were to look anywhere for a last gasp winner, the needed to look no further, as Kevin stole the ball, beat the player and slammed home an injury time winner amidst jubilant scenes amongst the Linnets Faithful.
Although the Linnets ended the month with arguably their worst performance of the season at Ashton Athletic, Towey still remained creative and set up chances for his team mates, although he was forced into largely shooting from distance himself as Ashton deservedly became the first NWCFL side to shut out the Linnets this season.
All in all it has been an excellent month for the popular Linnets forward, the assets he brings to the club off the field acknowledged by fans, team mates and the management team, and those qualities almost outweigh his undoubted talent and desire for success on the pitch.
DIVISION ONE - MICHAEL BRANDON OF 1874 NORTHWICH
Michael has scored 22 goals so far this season, 11 of the last 12 games and remarkably he has now scored in each of the last nine games.
During the club's six games in November, they scored 20 goals and as Brandon's tally accounts for just nine of them that in itself indicates that he is more than just a scorer of goals.
His link up play has been of the highest order as he controls all balls played in to him, and shows an astute awareness of team mates around him. As a result he can also claim an assist for six of the eleven other goals scored by his team during the month.
As well as being a poacher of goals, he has also scored a few memorable ones both with headers and " one on ones" trying and succeeding to psyche out goal keepers.
His last goal of the month against Chadderton was scored in the very first minute whilst the only goal of the game against Oldham Boro was a late winner in the 85th minute
Ironically, and he is reminded by his team mates about this, one of his "best" goals was at Rochdale after just 8 minutes when he volleyed the ball high into the net from ten yards - the only trouble was that it was an own goal - he was back trying to defend a corner!
But it is obviously his scoring abilities at the "right" end that has earned him the award for Player of the Month.
GOALKEEPER OF THE MONTH AWARDS
PREMIER DIVISION - JAY FOULDS OF ASHTON ATHLETIC
During November Jay proved that combining managing and playing don’t get in the way of each other, with some excellent displays between the sticks. Out of the 6 games played, he kept three clean sheets and helped his team with wins over some big clubs.
The month started with a great win over Glossop. In poor conditions Jay showed great handling skills and made vital saves to keep his side in the lead. With Glossop piling forward late on, Jay's cool head dealt with everything to help secure the win.
The stopper's first clean sheet came against Colne at home. After sustaining early pressure his communication and organisation of the defence set the team on the way to a 1-0 victory. With little to do for long periods of the game, he never switched off and averted any danger.
Although the team suffered a defeat at the hands of Runcorn Town, playing with 10 men for 80 minutes, Jay conceded a penalty and a late break-away goal. With the score at 2-1 for most of the game, he kept one of the most potent strike forces in the league out with some fantastic saves.
Another clean sheet was achieved at Squires Gate. In his best performance of the month everything went right. He made saves at 0-0 and when the side went 1-0 up.
In the final game of the month against one of the title favourites, Runcorn Linnets, Jay put in another quality performance to claim another clean sheet and not concede a goal, extending his run of not conceding to 180 minutes. Another excellent handling display frustrated the visitors and with the defence secured a famous victory.
Jay's ability to read a game and act as a 'sweeper' has instilled confidence throughout the team throughout, and while having the joint third best defence in the league is not just down to Jay, he has been a massive part of the achievement and is a worthy winner of the November award.
DIVISION ONE - MATT CONKIE OF 1874 NORTHWICH
Although Matt Conkie has just received the award as Goalkeeper of the Month for October his club had no hesitation in nominating him again for the November award.
Matt began the month by conceding four goals in the first match of the month in a 4-3 loss at Rochdale, which was a game played in atrocious conditions but also a game in which both keepers produced some excellent saves and neither could be blamed for any of the goals.
After that game, 1874 Northwich played five more games in the month and Conkie kept five clean sheets!
At Northwich Flixton Villa he made two very good saves when the game was goalless that set his side up to go and win comfortably after they scored their first goal.
Next game up was away at Oldham Boro, and this was a close encounter in which Conkie made several high class saves, including one just before half-time when he was moving to one side and then miraculously managed to twist and dive the other way to push away a deflected strike. 1874 scored the only goal of the game in the 86th minute but in the very last minute Matt was called upon again to make an important save as a forward lost his "one on one" confrontation.
The next clean sheet was in the 5-0 win over Widnes Vikings in the League Challenge Cup and once again Matt's presence was influential as he dealt comfortably with crosses, and made an impressive save turning a strong shot over the bar when everyone was expecting the ball to enter the net
A 4-0 win over Cheadle Town and then a 3-0 win over Chadderton completed the month and an excellent record for Matt and his defence. In the Cheadle game and with the score 0-0, Conkie conceded a free kick just outside the box but made amends by producing arguably his best save of the season so far, pushing a well hit free kick away for a corner.
Five clean sheets on the trot is undoubtedly a fine achievement and although it is accepted that there are many of the players who contribute to the end results, there is no doubt that Matt's team mates appreciate his immense presence, confidence and ability.
Player And Goalkeeper Of The Month Awards
Fri 6th December 2013 | League Awards
By Ian Templeman
PLAYER OF THE MONTH AWARDS
PREMIER DIVISION - KEVIN TOWEY OF RUNCORN LINNETS
Kevin Towey re-joined Linnets in October and has featured in every game since, playing with a renewed vigour, attitude and approach, and turning in his finest performances in a yellow and green shirt in his second stint at the club.
With Towey having featured heavily in the impressive wins that rounded off October, Runcorn’s first outing in November was at Booth Street, Congleton, a ground that hasn’t been particularly lucrative for points in the past. Fuelled by the creativity of Mark Houghton and Towey, Runcorn coasted to a 4-0 victory, with the newly re-signed wide man having a major part in the goals.
Towey played a lesser part in the Cheshire Senior Cup win at Alsager, with Linnets boss Joey Dunn rotating the squad with an eye on the following game against then league leaders Maine Road.
Towey started that game with real intent, and opened the scoring himself moments after almost setting up Matt Atherton for an opening goal, and he was denied a second by quality goalkeeping from Greg Hall. The disappointment on the players faces at the final whistle, despite drawing the game was evident, and Towey, ever a fan’s favourite, was quick to comment about both disappointment and the desire to bounce back from the draw on various social media.
Kev has never made secret of his status as a Runcorn Linnets fan, he stood on the terraces at Canal Street to watch Runcorn FC, and has often been known to stand with the fans at The Millbank Linnets Stadium and join in with the singing too.
He promised a reaction to the dropped points and that came with a superlative performance at Bacup and Rossendale Borough. Towey went on an early, mazy run, finally lost the ball, then won it back instantly and released Mark Houghton who finished with aplomb - just reward for great perseverance from Towey. He and Matt Atherton tormented the Bacup defence, as Runcorn won 3-1, the two protagonist’s and Mark Houghton releasing one another for chances with an uncanny understanding of each others game.
Towey was provider for the majority of the home game against Wigan Robin Park, setting up both Ross McDowell and Kyle Hamid, before McDowell got on the end of a great Towey pass to score his second of the game. In the second half he combined well to set up Michael Duffy, before his impudent back heel shot was well saved.
Wigan came back to draw level, but if Runcorn were to look anywhere for a last gasp winner, the needed to look no further, as Kevin stole the ball, beat the player and slammed home an injury time winner amidst jubilant scenes amongst the Linnets Faithful.
Although the Linnets ended the month with arguably their worst performance of the season at Ashton Athletic, Towey still remained creative and set up chances for his team mates, although he was forced into largely shooting from distance himself as Ashton deservedly became the first NWCFL side to shut out the Linnets this season.
All in all it has been an excellent month for the popular Linnets forward, the assets he brings to the club off the field acknowledged by fans, team mates and the management team, and those qualities almost outweigh his undoubted talent and desire for success on the pitch.
DIVISION ONE - MICHAEL BRANDON OF 1874 NORTHWICH
Michael has scored 22 goals so far this season, 11 of the last 12 games and remarkably he has now scored in each of the last nine games.
During the club's six games in November, they scored 20 goals and as Brandon's tally accounts for just nine of them that in itself indicates that he is more than just a scorer of goals.
His link up play has been of the highest order as he controls all balls played in to him, and shows an astute awareness of team mates around him. As a result he can also claim an assist for six of the eleven other goals scored by his team during the month.
As well as being a poacher of goals, he has also scored a few memorable ones both with headers and " one on ones" trying and succeeding to psyche out goal keepers.
His last goal of the month against Chadderton was scored in the very first minute whilst the only goal of the game against Oldham Boro was a late winner in the 85th minute
Ironically, and he is reminded by his team mates about this, one of his "best" goals was at Rochdale after just 8 minutes when he volleyed the ball high into the net from ten yards - the only trouble was that it was an own goal - he was back trying to defend a corner!
But it is obviously his scoring abilities at the "right" end that has earned him the award for Player of the Month.
GOALKEEPER OF THE MONTH AWARDS
PREMIER DIVISION - JAY FOULDS OF ASHTON ATHLETIC
During November Jay proved that combining managing and playing don’t get in the way of each other, with some excellent displays between the sticks. Out of the 6 games played, he kept three clean sheets and helped his team with wins over some big clubs.
The month started with a great win over Glossop. In poor conditions Jay showed great handling skills and made vital saves to keep his side in the lead. With Glossop piling forward late on, Jay's cool head dealt with everything to help secure the win.
The stopper's first clean sheet came against Colne at home. After sustaining early pressure his communication and organisation of the defence set the team on the way to a 1-0 victory. With little to do for long periods of the game, he never switched off and averted any danger.
Although the team suffered a defeat at the hands of Runcorn Town, playing with 10 men for 80 minutes, Jay conceded a penalty and a late break-away goal. With the score at 2-1 for most of the game, he kept one of the most potent strike forces in the league out with some fantastic saves.
Another clean sheet was achieved at Squires Gate. In his best performance of the month everything went right. He made saves at 0-0 and when the side went 1-0 up.
In the final game of the month against one of the title favourites, Runcorn Linnets, Jay put in another quality performance to claim another clean sheet and not concede a goal, extending his run of not conceding to 180 minutes. Another excellent handling display frustrated the visitors and with the defence secured a famous victory.
Jay's ability to read a game and act as a 'sweeper' has instilled confidence throughout the team throughout, and while having the joint third best defence in the league is not just down to Jay, he has been a massive part of the achievement and is a worthy winner of the November award.
DIVISION ONE - MATT CONKIE OF 1874 NORTHWICH
Although Matt Conkie has just received the award as Goalkeeper of the Month for October his club had no hesitation in nominating him again for the November award.
Matt began the month by conceding four goals in the first match of the month in a 4-3 loss at Rochdale, which was a game played in atrocious conditions but also a game in which both keepers produced some excellent saves and neither could be blamed for any of the goals.
After that game, 1874 Northwich played five more games in the month and Conkie kept five clean sheets!
At Northwich Flixton Villa he made two very good saves when the game was goalless that set his side up to go and win comfortably after they scored their first goal.
Next game up was away at Oldham Boro, and this was a close encounter in which Conkie made several high class saves, including one just before half-time when he was moving to one side and then miraculously managed to twist and dive the other way to push away a deflected strike. 1874 scored the only goal of the game in the 86th minute but in the very last minute Matt was called upon again to make an important save as a forward lost his "one on one" confrontation.
The next clean sheet was in the 5-0 win over Widnes Vikings in the League Challenge Cup and once again Matt's presence was influential as he dealt comfortably with crosses, and made an impressive save turning a strong shot over the bar when everyone was expecting the ball to enter the net
A 4-0 win over Cheadle Town and then a 3-0 win over Chadderton completed the month and an excellent record for Matt and his defence. In the Cheadle game and with the score 0-0, Conkie conceded a free kick just outside the box but made amends by producing arguably his best save of the season so far, pushing a well hit free kick away for a corner.
Five clean sheets on the trot is undoubtedly a fine achievement and although it is accepted that there are many of the players who contribute to the end results, there is no doubt that Matt's team mates appreciate his immense presence, confidence and ability.
