Macron Player and Reusch Goalkeeper of the Month Awards - December 2017
Tue 9th January 2018 | League Awards | By Ian Templeman
MACRON PLAYER OF THE MONTH AWARDS
PREMIER DIVISION - DANNY O'BRIEN OF RUNCORN LINNETS
A common factor in Runcorn Linnets’ rise to the top of The Hallmark Security League Premier Division at New Year Was been the ever-consistent form of defender Danny O’Brien. The one-time midfield player turned full back just kept on producing the goods in his own inimitable style - understated but at the same time spectacular - and club officials had no hesitation in naming Danny as first team Player of the Month for December.
It is not as if there weren’t other strong candidates, but you just can’t keep a good man down and Danny O’Brien’s nomination completes a straight hat-trick of club Player of the Month awards for the former Cammell Laird 1907 man, to again underline his genuine importance to the team’s on-field strategy and overall performance.
The statistics tell their own tale with Danny again proving much more than an excellent defender as the Linnets negotiated a tough Christmas schedule of three league games over the holiday period – including two matches against top-four opposition in four days – with a triple shut out.
Danny again used his set-piece prowess – be it from corners, penalties or free-kicks – to deliver a quartet of important goals in the closing month of 2017, taking his campaign total to eight while remaining highly influential in open play when going forward or covering in defence.
The month did not have the kind of start the Linnets had hoped for as they exited the Buildbase FA Vase at the hands of the highly-rated Ebac Northern League title chasers, Marske United – although not before Linnets had come desperately close to fighting back from 3-0 down to force a replay.
Danny netted from the penalty spot in the 74th minute to reduce the arrears to 1-3 and, when Antony Hickey added a Linnets second two minutes later, Marske had to pull out all the stops to cling on for a hard-earned 3-2 victory.
With scheduled contests at home to 1874 Northwich and away against Padiham falling foul of the weather, Linnets had to wait until December 23rd for their first league outing of 2017’s final month but they certainly made up for lost time.
Danny O’Brien’s individual progress was checked by a neck injury which led to his 20th minute withdrawal against visiting Barnton but he had already made a mark with another successful spot-kick to put Michael Ellison’s men on course for a comfortable 4-0 win.
Danny passed a fitness test to against Runcorn Town on December 26th and his contribution in a 5-0 triumph at Pavilions was immense.
With Linnets already leading 10-man Town, the full back continued his series of sparking set-pieces to score direct with a typically accurate and perfectly-flighted 20-yard free-kick, doubling the interval lead at 0-2.
For good measure, Danny again converted from the penalty spot, after Stuart Wellstead had been sent tumbling, to make it 0-4. Such has been his recent productivity in front of goal, it was something of a surprise not to see Danny on target again in the 2-0 defeat of Hanley Town at The Millbank Linnets Stadium on the Friday before New Year.
However, the primary role of any defender is to defend and Danny has shown himself to be more than capable of that. His alert goal line clearance, while stationed at a goal post, denied the visitors a ‘certain’ opening goal just before the break and was pivotal to the eventual outcome as the Linnets entered the New Year on a high.
DIVISION ONE - MIKE GERVIN OF DAISY HILL
Mike put in some amazing performances during December and was been a valuable leader on the pitch in a run of form that saw Daisy Hill win three away games, and subsequently be nominated as the Club of the Month award.
Mike started the month with a double strike at New Mills which capped off a MOM performance of the highest quality, in a game that Daisy won 5-1. His interchange of passing was a joy to watch, and it was clear Mike has played at a higher level.
The influence he was having on the team and playing the possession football that new manager Phil Roberts is drilling into the team was tremendous, and with the team going down to 10 men in the game, it was crucial Mike could link up with striker Jordan Prescott to keep the opposition at bay in a game that Daisy ran out convincing winners in the end.
In the next game at St Helens Town, Mike again put in a massive shift and was massively influential on the game by scoring a goal and playing a delightful through ball for the Daisy Hill super sub Niall Callaghan to score.
Towards the end of the game Mike took a direct free kick from 30 yards out, and hit the ball with such power it went through the keeper's hands and nestled into the top right hand corner.
Daisy ran out 3-1 winners, and Mike's goal capped off an impressive performance. He was instrumental in midfield by keeping possession and creating one assist. He has been a joy to watch with his creativity and vision.
Mike rounded off the month with another goal in the 3-1 win at Atherton LR, turning in another fine performance in a game where the team continued with the good run of results.
A lot of the younger players look up to Mike as one of the senior players, and it's no coincidence that Mike's rich run of fine displays has coincided with Daisy Hill's newly found form.
REUSCH GOALKEEPER OF THE MONTH AWARDS
PREMIER DIVISION - DANIEL ECCLES OF CONGLETON TOWN
In recent weeks the Bears have been striving to improve their defence and reduce the goals conceded, and the acquisition of Danny Eccles has seen a big stride to that objective.
In the four games played in December, Danny kept two clean sheets, conceded just one goal in each of the other two games, and received an MOM nomination in the 1-0 defeat against Widnes. All the other three games were won.
Starting with a trip to Irlam, the Bears kept only their 2nd clean sheet of the season, and it did not take long for Danny to show his pedigree with a brilliant fingertip save. The remainder of the game required Danny to make routine stops, as he marshalled the defence in front of him with assurance.
The next match saw a confident Widnes side visit Booth Street and another masterful display unfortunately failed to earn the Bears any points, but Danny was again on top form. When Bannister cut in from the left and let fly with a powerful shot heading for the top right hand corner, Danny pulled off a another great fingertip save.
Alert 'keeping saw him force Towey into a rushed shot when clear and the ball hit the side netting. After the break Danny again was in top form to push away a goalbound effort from Smart. An accomplished performance that justified him earning an MOM nomination.
A tough match was to follow with a visit to Hanley Town on Boxing Day. This time the second clean sheet of the month was achieved with another cool showing from the young keeper.
Early pressure was dealt with but just when it looked as though Stair was going to give the home side the lead, Danny saved well low down close to the post and a quick recovery forced Thompson following up to shoot wide.
The final match of the month saw the Bears record a comfortable 5-1 home win against Barnton. The visitors started the match in a manner that belied their bottom of the table position, and early chances forced Danny into action on three occasions to be sharp with closing down break aways and ractions in a crowded goalmouth.
Helpless to prevent the visitors goal that brought the score to 2-1, he then had to maintain concentration and sharpness as Barnton had their best spell but could not find a way past a confident shot stopper.
Danny has had a fine opening spell with the Bears, showing terrific reflexes, mature reading of the game and a boost in confidence for the defenders in front of him.
DIVISION ONE - DANNY READ OF WHITCHURCH ALPORT
It was another great month for the Alport net minder, with Danny conceding just three goals, one of which was a penalty.
His displays played an important part in a fine month for Alport, in which they won all four games, extending their winning run to seven games in succession.
Aside of his shot stopping, reading of the game and general presence, his marshalling of what is probably the youngest back four in the division should not be underestimated.
Whitchurch have the tightest defence in the league, and Danny's form in December, and over the season in general, has been a major factor in the team's fine defensive performances.
Macron Player and Reusch Goalkeeper of the Month Awards - December 2017
Tue 9th January 2018 | League Awards
By Ian Templeman
MACRON PLAYER OF THE MONTH AWARDS
PREMIER DIVISION - DANNY O'BRIEN OF RUNCORN LINNETS
A common factor in Runcorn Linnets’ rise to the top of The Hallmark Security League Premier Division at New Year Was been the ever-consistent form of defender Danny O’Brien. The one-time midfield player turned full back just kept on producing the goods in his own inimitable style - understated but at the same time spectacular - and club officials had no hesitation in naming Danny as first team Player of the Month for December.
It is not as if there weren’t other strong candidates, but you just can’t keep a good man down and Danny O’Brien’s nomination completes a straight hat-trick of club Player of the Month awards for the former Cammell Laird 1907 man, to again underline his genuine importance to the team’s on-field strategy and overall performance.
The statistics tell their own tale with Danny again proving much more than an excellent defender as the Linnets negotiated a tough Christmas schedule of three league games over the holiday period – including two matches against top-four opposition in four days – with a triple shut out.
Danny again used his set-piece prowess – be it from corners, penalties or free-kicks – to deliver a quartet of important goals in the closing month of 2017, taking his campaign total to eight while remaining highly influential in open play when going forward or covering in defence.
The month did not have the kind of start the Linnets had hoped for as they exited the Buildbase FA Vase at the hands of the highly-rated Ebac Northern League title chasers, Marske United – although not before Linnets had come desperately close to fighting back from 3-0 down to force a replay.
Danny netted from the penalty spot in the 74th minute to reduce the arrears to 1-3 and, when Antony Hickey added a Linnets second two minutes later, Marske had to pull out all the stops to cling on for a hard-earned 3-2 victory.
With scheduled contests at home to 1874 Northwich and away against Padiham falling foul of the weather, Linnets had to wait until December 23rd for their first league outing of 2017’s final month but they certainly made up for lost time.
Danny O’Brien’s individual progress was checked by a neck injury which led to his 20th minute withdrawal against visiting Barnton but he had already made a mark with another successful spot-kick to put Michael Ellison’s men on course for a comfortable 4-0 win.
Danny passed a fitness test to against Runcorn Town on December 26th and his contribution in a 5-0 triumph at Pavilions was immense.
With Linnets already leading 10-man Town, the full back continued his series of sparking set-pieces to score direct with a typically accurate and perfectly-flighted 20-yard free-kick, doubling the interval lead at 0-2.
For good measure, Danny again converted from the penalty spot, after Stuart Wellstead had been sent tumbling, to make it 0-4. Such has been his recent productivity in front of goal, it was something of a surprise not to see Danny on target again in the 2-0 defeat of Hanley Town at The Millbank Linnets Stadium on the Friday before New Year.
However, the primary role of any defender is to defend and Danny has shown himself to be more than capable of that. His alert goal line clearance, while stationed at a goal post, denied the visitors a ‘certain’ opening goal just before the break and was pivotal to the eventual outcome as the Linnets entered the New Year on a high.
DIVISION ONE - MIKE GERVIN OF DAISY HILL
Mike put in some amazing performances during December and was been a valuable leader on the pitch in a run of form that saw Daisy Hill win three away games, and subsequently be nominated as the Club of the Month award.
Mike started the month with a double strike at New Mills which capped off a MOM performance of the highest quality, in a game that Daisy won 5-1. His interchange of passing was a joy to watch, and it was clear Mike has played at a higher level.
The influence he was having on the team and playing the possession football that new manager Phil Roberts is drilling into the team was tremendous, and with the team going down to 10 men in the game, it was crucial Mike could link up with striker Jordan Prescott to keep the opposition at bay in a game that Daisy ran out convincing winners in the end.
In the next game at St Helens Town, Mike again put in a massive shift and was massively influential on the game by scoring a goal and playing a delightful through ball for the Daisy Hill super sub Niall Callaghan to score.
Towards the end of the game Mike took a direct free kick from 30 yards out, and hit the ball with such power it went through the keeper's hands and nestled into the top right hand corner.
Daisy ran out 3-1 winners, and Mike's goal capped off an impressive performance. He was instrumental in midfield by keeping possession and creating one assist. He has been a joy to watch with his creativity and vision.
Mike rounded off the month with another goal in the 3-1 win at Atherton LR, turning in another fine performance in a game where the team continued with the good run of results.
A lot of the younger players look up to Mike as one of the senior players, and it's no coincidence that Mike's rich run of fine displays has coincided with Daisy Hill's newly found form.
REUSCH GOALKEEPER OF THE MONTH AWARDS
PREMIER DIVISION - DANIEL ECCLES OF CONGLETON TOWN
In recent weeks the Bears have been striving to improve their defence and reduce the goals conceded, and the acquisition of Danny Eccles has seen a big stride to that objective.
In the four games played in December, Danny kept two clean sheets, conceded just one goal in each of the other two games, and received an MOM nomination in the 1-0 defeat against Widnes. All the other three games were won.
Starting with a trip to Irlam, the Bears kept only their 2nd clean sheet of the season, and it did not take long for Danny to show his pedigree with a brilliant fingertip save. The remainder of the game required Danny to make routine stops, as he marshalled the defence in front of him with assurance.
The next match saw a confident Widnes side visit Booth Street and another masterful display unfortunately failed to earn the Bears any points, but Danny was again on top form. When Bannister cut in from the left and let fly with a powerful shot heading for the top right hand corner, Danny pulled off a another great fingertip save.
Alert 'keeping saw him force Towey into a rushed shot when clear and the ball hit the side netting. After the break Danny again was in top form to push away a goalbound effort from Smart. An accomplished performance that justified him earning an MOM nomination.
A tough match was to follow with a visit to Hanley Town on Boxing Day. This time the second clean sheet of the month was achieved with another cool showing from the young keeper.
Early pressure was dealt with but just when it looked as though Stair was going to give the home side the lead, Danny saved well low down close to the post and a quick recovery forced Thompson following up to shoot wide.
The final match of the month saw the Bears record a comfortable 5-1 home win against Barnton. The visitors started the match in a manner that belied their bottom of the table position, and early chances forced Danny into action on three occasions to be sharp with closing down break aways and ractions in a crowded goalmouth.
Helpless to prevent the visitors goal that brought the score to 2-1, he then had to maintain concentration and sharpness as Barnton had their best spell but could not find a way past a confident shot stopper.
Danny has had a fine opening spell with the Bears, showing terrific reflexes, mature reading of the game and a boost in confidence for the defenders in front of him.
DIVISION ONE - DANNY READ OF WHITCHURCH ALPORT
It was another great month for the Alport net minder, with Danny conceding just three goals, one of which was a penalty.
His displays played an important part in a fine month for Alport, in which they won all four games, extending their winning run to seven games in succession.
Aside of his shot stopping, reading of the game and general presence, his marshalling of what is probably the youngest back four in the division should not be underestimated.
Whitchurch have the tightest defence in the league, and Danny's form in December, and over the season in general, has been a major factor in the team's fine defensive performances.
