Player And Goalkeeper Of The Month Awards
Wed 7th October 2015 | League Awards | By Ian Templeman
PLAYER OF THE MONTH AWARDS
PREMIER DIVISION – PAUL SHANLEY OF RUNCORN TOWN
Paul has had an exceptional month for Runcorn Town, and has gone a long way into helping the team to the NWCFL Club of the Month for September.
The Town forward was an ever present in September, playing in all eight games in which he picked up 4 Man of the Match awards from opponents. He also weighed in with five assists for his teammates, as well as scoring nine goals himself.
The opening game against Alsager Town saw him thwarted twice by goalkeeper Kryistian Burzynski who made fine saves, whilst he also set up his teammates for several chances. With ten minutes remaining, Shanley saw another shot saved by Burzynski with Rob Ablewhite following up to give Runcorn Town the win.
Next up was Litherland REMYCA in the FA Vase, and the First Division side were torn apart by Shanley with his constant running throughout the game. He grabbed Town's second goal from the spot before doubling his tally in the 33rd minute with a superb volley from the edge of the box.
He also claimed an assist for Town's 84th minute 4th goal with a fine through ball that Ablewhite curled into the corner.
Silsden was next, with Shanley causing havoc to the home side's defence every time he got the ball in the first half. He opened the scoring from the penalty spot once more in the 29th minute, and then took full advantage of a mistake in the home defence with a pinpoint cross to Stuart Wellstead for Town's second.
Shanley also set up Chris Dykes and Jack Irlam with good chances, with Silsden awarding him their Man of the Match.
Two days later, Congleton came to Pavilions. No goals this time but another Man of the Match award from the visitors, with Town winning 4-2. He set up Wellstead with a superb cross behind the defence for the third goal, and found Mark Keddie in the box who turned and fired in the fourth goal. He also hit the post from an acute angle with Andrew Farrimond beaten.
The result of the month came with a 4-1 away win at then leaders Barnoldswick Town. Despite being thwarted early on by Jordan Gidley, Shanley put Town ahead after Irlam had put him clean through.
After Barnoldswick had levelled, Shanley then put Town back in front before completing his hattrick from the penalty spot to claim his third Man of the Match in eight days.
Another away game followed midweek at AFC Liverpool, with Shanley picking up yet another Man of the Match awards from the opponents in a 4-1 win. This was mainly down to his tenacity and unwillingness as he again caused problems all night. On the field, just one goal to report, keeping his composure when sent clear to score Town's second.
The final home game of the month came against Squires Gate. No Man of the Match this time but a further two goals in a 5-0 win.
Shanley volled into the bottom corner for the third goal and heading in Ablewhite's cross for the fourth goal.
The final game came at 1874 Northwich in a disappointing team performance that saw Northwich win 2-1. Shanley almost grabbed a point for Town when he ran at the home defence in stoppage time with Matt Conkie making a fine save.
DIVISION ONE – ANDY GILLESPIE OF ST HELENS TOWN
The Town skipper had another fine month for St Helens Town in September, taking his tally to 10 goals as he aims to be the First Team top goalscorer for the third season in a row.
He has almost equalled his goalscoring tally of 11 goals from last term in the first two months of the season with a record of 10 goals in 11 games at the end of September. Despite being only 24 years old he is the club captain and a real leader both on and off the pitch.
Andy has been an inspiration to his teammates, having recovered from two season ending injures on Easter Monday 2014 & 2015, but he has bounced back both times and this term having a full pre-season of hard work behind him, has seen him looking at his sharpest.
He has been the focal point of the team this term and leads from the front inspiring the team with his work rate, selfless play and also chipping in with goals. Often ploughing a lonely furrow up front on his own as a lone striker, he is both a creator, holding the ball up, bringing others into play and creating space for his teammates with his intelligent runs.
He can score goals with his head and both feet and his versatility means he scores every type goal imaginable. His excellent play has been commented on by opponents throughout the month of September, during which he scored five goals in six games.
GOALKEEPER OF THE MONTH AWARDS
PREMIER DIVISION – MARTIN PEARSON OF ASHTON ATHLETIC
Since arriving in the Summer Martin has been an ever present in the side and a rock in the back four. His large, commanding figure breeds confidence into the defence and he has kept eight clean sheets in all competitions.
Athletic's form and confidence has greatly improved during September and this has been largely due to the performances of Martin between the posts. A fantastic record during the month saw Martin play in all eight games, keeping four clean sheets and boost one of the meanest defences in the league.
The first of his clean sheets arrived in the 0-0 draw against Atherton Colleries in the FA Vase. Little in the way of goalmouth action at either end saw Martin have a relatively quiet afternoon, however, his distribution and organisation of the players in front of him came into fruition as 'The Yellows' gained a reply against one of the league’s most potent attacking forces.
The second clean sheet of the month came in a tricky away fixture to Squires Gate. Early pressure from the home side forces Martin into a string of saves, keeping the home attack at bay. Although our attack were unable to make a break through at the other end Martin was alert in the final moments of the game making an excellent save to his right to tip a long range effort around the post.
Back to back victories came in the next game as Athletic went on to beat west Didsbury and Chorlton 3-0 at home. The score line suggests little in the way of action for Martin but in the first half this wasn't the case.
West had long spells of dominance and sustained pressure saw Martin called into action on a number of occasions. One save of note came as the West forward hit a fantastic effort which Martin managed to get a strong hand to and gather at the second attempt. This resilience proved vital as the forwards went on to do the business.
Martin's final clean sheet of the month came away to a lively Maine Road team. After Athletic took the lead early in the game, they faced constant pressure from Road as they searched for an equaliser. The defence sat deeper and deeper and invited them on.
Martin's organisational skills were superb in making sure his back line stayed strong. His big frame kept out two efforts from inside the box. He had the final say in the game tipping over a curling effort when it looked certain to nestle in the top corner.
Although he conceded goals in other games within the month, his defence would be quick to add that without him It could have potentially been more. At Bootle he was desperately unlucky to make a fantastic penalty save only to see the rebound creep in ,after getting up and making another great save.
Everyone at Athletic is sure this will be the start of many commanding months for 'Big' Martin and September won't just be a one off.
DIVISION ONE – STEPHEN PIGOTT OF CHEADLE TOWN
For some time, long serving goalkeeper Stephen Piggott has continued to turn in consistent displays week-by-week for Cheadle Town and September was no different.
The month began with the excellent victory in the FA Vase at Staveley Miners Welfare and Stephen certainly kept Town in the game with some fantastic saves, before they reduced the deficit and ran out worthy winners.
Victory in the League against Eccleshall saw Stephen produce another good performance in a 4-2 win to ensure we gained all three points.
Despite Stephen's best efforts he wasn't able to prevent Cheadle from defeat against Ashton Town and Stockport Town, but he did put in a fantastic second half performance at St Helens Town which ultimately prevented them from claiming all three points, with the game ending in a 2-2 draw.
Player And Goalkeeper Of The Month Awards
Wed 7th October 2015 | League Awards
By Ian Templeman
PLAYER OF THE MONTH AWARDS
PREMIER DIVISION – PAUL SHANLEY OF RUNCORN TOWN
Paul has had an exceptional month for Runcorn Town, and has gone a long way into helping the team to the NWCFL Club of the Month for September.
The Town forward was an ever present in September, playing in all eight games in which he picked up 4 Man of the Match awards from opponents. He also weighed in with five assists for his teammates, as well as scoring nine goals himself.
The opening game against Alsager Town saw him thwarted twice by goalkeeper Kryistian Burzynski who made fine saves, whilst he also set up his teammates for several chances. With ten minutes remaining, Shanley saw another shot saved by Burzynski with Rob Ablewhite following up to give Runcorn Town the win.
Next up was Litherland REMYCA in the FA Vase, and the First Division side were torn apart by Shanley with his constant running throughout the game. He grabbed Town's second goal from the spot before doubling his tally in the 33rd minute with a superb volley from the edge of the box.
He also claimed an assist for Town's 84th minute 4th goal with a fine through ball that Ablewhite curled into the corner.
Silsden was next, with Shanley causing havoc to the home side's defence every time he got the ball in the first half. He opened the scoring from the penalty spot once more in the 29th minute, and then took full advantage of a mistake in the home defence with a pinpoint cross to Stuart Wellstead for Town's second.
Shanley also set up Chris Dykes and Jack Irlam with good chances, with Silsden awarding him their Man of the Match.
Two days later, Congleton came to Pavilions. No goals this time but another Man of the Match award from the visitors, with Town winning 4-2. He set up Wellstead with a superb cross behind the defence for the third goal, and found Mark Keddie in the box who turned and fired in the fourth goal. He also hit the post from an acute angle with Andrew Farrimond beaten.
The result of the month came with a 4-1 away win at then leaders Barnoldswick Town. Despite being thwarted early on by Jordan Gidley, Shanley put Town ahead after Irlam had put him clean through.
After Barnoldswick had levelled, Shanley then put Town back in front before completing his hattrick from the penalty spot to claim his third Man of the Match in eight days.
Another away game followed midweek at AFC Liverpool, with Shanley picking up yet another Man of the Match awards from the opponents in a 4-1 win. This was mainly down to his tenacity and unwillingness as he again caused problems all night. On the field, just one goal to report, keeping his composure when sent clear to score Town's second.
The final home game of the month came against Squires Gate. No Man of the Match this time but a further two goals in a 5-0 win.
Shanley volled into the bottom corner for the third goal and heading in Ablewhite's cross for the fourth goal.
The final game came at 1874 Northwich in a disappointing team performance that saw Northwich win 2-1. Shanley almost grabbed a point for Town when he ran at the home defence in stoppage time with Matt Conkie making a fine save.
DIVISION ONE – ANDY GILLESPIE OF ST HELENS TOWN
The Town skipper had another fine month for St Helens Town in September, taking his tally to 10 goals as he aims to be the First Team top goalscorer for the third season in a row.
He has almost equalled his goalscoring tally of 11 goals from last term in the first two months of the season with a record of 10 goals in 11 games at the end of September. Despite being only 24 years old he is the club captain and a real leader both on and off the pitch.
Andy has been an inspiration to his teammates, having recovered from two season ending injures on Easter Monday 2014 & 2015, but he has bounced back both times and this term having a full pre-season of hard work behind him, has seen him looking at his sharpest.
He has been the focal point of the team this term and leads from the front inspiring the team with his work rate, selfless play and also chipping in with goals. Often ploughing a lonely furrow up front on his own as a lone striker, he is both a creator, holding the ball up, bringing others into play and creating space for his teammates with his intelligent runs.
He can score goals with his head and both feet and his versatility means he scores every type goal imaginable. His excellent play has been commented on by opponents throughout the month of September, during which he scored five goals in six games.
GOALKEEPER OF THE MONTH AWARDS
PREMIER DIVISION – MARTIN PEARSON OF ASHTON ATHLETIC
Since arriving in the Summer Martin has been an ever present in the side and a rock in the back four. His large, commanding figure breeds confidence into the defence and he has kept eight clean sheets in all competitions.
Athletic's form and confidence has greatly improved during September and this has been largely due to the performances of Martin between the posts. A fantastic record during the month saw Martin play in all eight games, keeping four clean sheets and boost one of the meanest defences in the league.
The first of his clean sheets arrived in the 0-0 draw against Atherton Colleries in the FA Vase. Little in the way of goalmouth action at either end saw Martin have a relatively quiet afternoon, however, his distribution and organisation of the players in front of him came into fruition as 'The Yellows' gained a reply against one of the league’s most potent attacking forces.
The second clean sheet of the month came in a tricky away fixture to Squires Gate. Early pressure from the home side forces Martin into a string of saves, keeping the home attack at bay. Although our attack were unable to make a break through at the other end Martin was alert in the final moments of the game making an excellent save to his right to tip a long range effort around the post.
Back to back victories came in the next game as Athletic went on to beat west Didsbury and Chorlton 3-0 at home. The score line suggests little in the way of action for Martin but in the first half this wasn't the case.
West had long spells of dominance and sustained pressure saw Martin called into action on a number of occasions. One save of note came as the West forward hit a fantastic effort which Martin managed to get a strong hand to and gather at the second attempt. This resilience proved vital as the forwards went on to do the business.
Martin's final clean sheet of the month came away to a lively Maine Road team. After Athletic took the lead early in the game, they faced constant pressure from Road as they searched for an equaliser. The defence sat deeper and deeper and invited them on.
Martin's organisational skills were superb in making sure his back line stayed strong. His big frame kept out two efforts from inside the box. He had the final say in the game tipping over a curling effort when it looked certain to nestle in the top corner.
Although he conceded goals in other games within the month, his defence would be quick to add that without him It could have potentially been more. At Bootle he was desperately unlucky to make a fantastic penalty save only to see the rebound creep in ,after getting up and making another great save.
Everyone at Athletic is sure this will be the start of many commanding months for 'Big' Martin and September won't just be a one off.
DIVISION ONE – STEPHEN PIGOTT OF CHEADLE TOWN
For some time, long serving goalkeeper Stephen Piggott has continued to turn in consistent displays week-by-week for Cheadle Town and September was no different.
The month began with the excellent victory in the FA Vase at Staveley Miners Welfare and Stephen certainly kept Town in the game with some fantastic saves, before they reduced the deficit and ran out worthy winners.
Victory in the League against Eccleshall saw Stephen produce another good performance in a 4-2 win to ensure we gained all three points.
Despite Stephen's best efforts he wasn't able to prevent Cheadle from defeat against Ashton Town and Stockport Town, but he did put in a fantastic second half performance at St Helens Town which ultimately prevented them from claiming all three points, with the game ending in a 2-2 draw.
