Macron Player and Reusch Goalkeeper of the Month Awards - April 2018
Mon 7th May 2018 | League Awards | By Ian Templeman
MACRON PLAYER OF THE MONTH AWARDS
PREMIER DIVISION – ZACK DALE OF BARNOLDSWICK TOWN
The month of April didn’t start well for Barlick with the first four fixtures postponed due to waterlogged pitches.
Town started April in 16th position in the league and 12th in the form table. The team needed something from somewhere, it needed a player to lead by example and Zack Dale was that player.
Zack didn't run when things didn't go his way, he stayed loyal, he believed in himself when it would have been easier not to. When it comes to this point of the season and there’s a fixture back log playing three games a week, it can be tough but not for Zack.
He was on top form throughout the month and massively helped the club move up to the top 10 in the league table, scoring 11 goals in 8 games including two hat-tricks and a last minute winner in the local derby at Padiham.
Zack’s first hat trick was on Tuesday 12th, against Congleton Town. It wasn’t the easiest of games and Town were 1-0 down at half time, but in the second half Zack came out knowing what he wanted to do, and hit a hat trick in the space of 13 minutes to help Town to a 4-2 win.
Saturday 21st April brought a meeting with Abbey Hey for the second time in a week, and with the score at 0-0 Town were awarded a penalty that Zack converted to set up an eventual 2-0 win.
Tuesday 24th April saw the short trip to Padiham, and with the score at 1-1, Zack scored an 89th minute winner to seal a 2-1 win.
Two days later in a home fixture against Winsford United, it didn’t take Zack long to get his head down, putting Town in the lead with his first goal of the game 9 minutes in, and although Winsford drew level by half time, Zack scored in the second half to help Town to a 3-2 win.
His second hat trick of the month was against Barnton on Saturday 28th April, completing his treble midway through the second half in a 5-0 win.
Zack picked up five of the eight available man of the match awards as he helped Barnoldswick win seven games out of eight, picking up 21 points out of possible 24. It was a run that took Town comfortably into the top half of the table and also saw them end the month at the top of the form table.
DIVISION ONE - MATTHEW BRYAN OF BACUP BOROUGH
Matthew deserves to win this award not only for his consistency during April, but for continuing the form he showed during March, where he played six games, won four Man of the Match nominations, and scored six goals.
During April Bacup Borough had to play nine games in a fourteen day period, and Matthew featured in every game, once again scoring six goals. He also won six Man of the Match nominations, and another notable factor is that those six nominations came from six consecutive games, a feat not to be dismissed.
Matthew’s six goals contributed to three vital wins in games during the month, one of which was against promotion contenders Whitchurch Alport, and even when Matthew has not got on to the score sheet, his assists stats are equally as impressive.
Matthew scored against Stockport Town in a 5-2 win and he assisted with a superb cross, and scored the winner against Whitchurch when he beat the offside trap to then slot right footed into the far post, a real piece of precision as it was a tight angle across their keeper.
In the team’s third victory against New Mills Matthew scored the opening goal, again running onto a through ball before sending their keeper the wrong way, Matty played a part in our second goal, before wrapping up victory from the penalty spot. He also scored against Holker when he got played in and coolly lifted it over their keeper, and against Silsden, when he won the ball from a defender on the half way line, ran through and took the ball around their keeper.
Matthew Bryan’s season contribution and consistency makes him not only a worthy winner of April’s Player of the Month award but as a contender for the League’s Player of the Year for Division One.
He has been consistently outstanding, he is Vice Captain, coaches the club’s under nine team, and has been almost an ever present in the team having missed only one game due to being the best man at his friend’s wedding. His consistency both in being available and coupled with performances has been outstanding.
REUSCH GOALKEEPER OF THE MONTH AWARDS
PREMIER DIVISION - RICHIE MOTTRAM
April has arguably been the most impressive month in a stellar season for both Richie and Widnes.
Richie kept six clean sheets from a possible seven, as Widnes continued their promotion push while booking a place in the Macron Cup final in mid-May.
Richie made a pair of early saves in the 2-0 win over AFC Liverpool when the scoreline was poised at 0-0 in a game that Widnes would go on to comfortably win.
While powerless to deny the two goals conceded in the 3-2 win at AFC Darwen, Richie displayed his usual confidence between the sticks, managing the game as the Widnes shot-stopper claimed a number of crosses late in the second half to preserve Widnes’ winning-margin.
Richie wouldn’t concede again for the remainder of the month, and contributed offensively when the opportunity arose in a 5-0 Macron Cup win over Winsford United, providing a pinpoint pass for Ben Hodkinson who teed up Kev Towey to open the scoring.
A relatively quiet evening followed against his former club Northwich Victoria, but Richie had to be alert to make a couple of good saves either side of the break as Widnes ran out 4-0 winners.
His standout performance came one week later away at 1874 Northwich. Perhaps fortunate to see Kyle Riley’s effort crash back off the bar early on, Richie recovered to produce a Man of the Match performance.
Not for the first time this season, Richie came to Widnes’ rescue, saving a late Scott McGowan penalty as his side underlined their promotion credentials.
While relatively untroubled against West Didsbury & Chorlton, Richie had to command his area effectively, remaining on his toes to collect a number of crosses played into Widnes’ area.
Richie displayed his experience in the win over Maine Road to end the month. Although he was relatively untroubled, Richie remained alert, commanding his area and back line well when called upon.
DIVISION ONE - MICHAEL SMITH OF PRESTWICH HEYS
Three clean sheets in eight games during April represents a fine return for Mike, who continues to prove himself a fine goalkeeper at the heart of a well-drilled Heys defence.
Mike goes about his business in a quiet and unassuming manner, controlling his penalty area with authority, great in the air and a fine shot-stopper.
In key games, Mike has stepped up to make vital saves, a point close-range block and an athletic tip onto the crossbar ensuring a win at Chadderton at the start of April setting the standard.
Perhaps Mike's finest quality is his ability to switch on and make key saves when he has not been called on for some time.
At FC Oswestry Town, in a game where Heys controlled for long periods, the home side found Smith in resolute form on their forays forward, dominating his penalty area and smothering danger.
In defeat at New Mills, Mike made a fingertip save and blocked another fierce drive to keep Heys in the game up to the final whistle.
Mike was again pivotal in Heys securing victory against Carlisle City, the visitors had brought the game back to 3-2 from 3-0 and looked like pressing on, but Smith pulled off a vital stop which helped settle the team down before the home side went on to win comfortably.
Similarly against Atherton LR, Smith bossed his area after the visitors had taken the lead, and was alert to danger in covering a series of through balls, and after Heys had gone 2-1 up, Mike made a string of saves, pushing a powerful shot wide and saving a point-blank effort as Atherton threatened.
Mike’s form has been all the more remarkable in a hectic month where the Heys squad has been rotated regularly, yet he has gone about organising his defence without fuss and helped ensure Prestwich secured a play-off berth.
His consistency has been vital to Heys collecting wins in their promotion push, and a place in the LWC Drinks First Division Cup final, both during the month of April and throughout the season.
Macron Player and Reusch Goalkeeper of the Month Awards - April 2018
Mon 7th May 2018 | League Awards
By Ian Templeman
MACRON PLAYER OF THE MONTH AWARDS
PREMIER DIVISION – ZACK DALE OF BARNOLDSWICK TOWN
The month of April didn’t start well for Barlick with the first four fixtures postponed due to waterlogged pitches.
Town started April in 16th position in the league and 12th in the form table. The team needed something from somewhere, it needed a player to lead by example and Zack Dale was that player.
Zack didn't run when things didn't go his way, he stayed loyal, he believed in himself when it would have been easier not to. When it comes to this point of the season and there’s a fixture back log playing three games a week, it can be tough but not for Zack.
He was on top form throughout the month and massively helped the club move up to the top 10 in the league table, scoring 11 goals in 8 games including two hat-tricks and a last minute winner in the local derby at Padiham.
Zack’s first hat trick was on Tuesday 12th, against Congleton Town. It wasn’t the easiest of games and Town were 1-0 down at half time, but in the second half Zack came out knowing what he wanted to do, and hit a hat trick in the space of 13 minutes to help Town to a 4-2 win.
Saturday 21st April brought a meeting with Abbey Hey for the second time in a week, and with the score at 0-0 Town were awarded a penalty that Zack converted to set up an eventual 2-0 win.
Tuesday 24th April saw the short trip to Padiham, and with the score at 1-1, Zack scored an 89th minute winner to seal a 2-1 win.
Two days later in a home fixture against Winsford United, it didn’t take Zack long to get his head down, putting Town in the lead with his first goal of the game 9 minutes in, and although Winsford drew level by half time, Zack scored in the second half to help Town to a 3-2 win.
His second hat trick of the month was against Barnton on Saturday 28th April, completing his treble midway through the second half in a 5-0 win.
Zack picked up five of the eight available man of the match awards as he helped Barnoldswick win seven games out of eight, picking up 21 points out of possible 24. It was a run that took Town comfortably into the top half of the table and also saw them end the month at the top of the form table.
DIVISION ONE - MATTHEW BRYAN OF BACUP BOROUGH
Matthew deserves to win this award not only for his consistency during April, but for continuing the form he showed during March, where he played six games, won four Man of the Match nominations, and scored six goals.
During April Bacup Borough had to play nine games in a fourteen day period, and Matthew featured in every game, once again scoring six goals. He also won six Man of the Match nominations, and another notable factor is that those six nominations came from six consecutive games, a feat not to be dismissed.
Matthew’s six goals contributed to three vital wins in games during the month, one of which was against promotion contenders Whitchurch Alport, and even when Matthew has not got on to the score sheet, his assists stats are equally as impressive.
Matthew scored against Stockport Town in a 5-2 win and he assisted with a superb cross, and scored the winner against Whitchurch when he beat the offside trap to then slot right footed into the far post, a real piece of precision as it was a tight angle across their keeper.
In the team’s third victory against New Mills Matthew scored the opening goal, again running onto a through ball before sending their keeper the wrong way, Matty played a part in our second goal, before wrapping up victory from the penalty spot. He also scored against Holker when he got played in and coolly lifted it over their keeper, and against Silsden, when he won the ball from a defender on the half way line, ran through and took the ball around their keeper.
Matthew Bryan’s season contribution and consistency makes him not only a worthy winner of April’s Player of the Month award but as a contender for the League’s Player of the Year for Division One.
He has been consistently outstanding, he is Vice Captain, coaches the club’s under nine team, and has been almost an ever present in the team having missed only one game due to being the best man at his friend’s wedding. His consistency both in being available and coupled with performances has been outstanding.
REUSCH GOALKEEPER OF THE MONTH AWARDS
PREMIER DIVISION - RICHIE MOTTRAM
April has arguably been the most impressive month in a stellar season for both Richie and Widnes.
Richie kept six clean sheets from a possible seven, as Widnes continued their promotion push while booking a place in the Macron Cup final in mid-May.
Richie made a pair of early saves in the 2-0 win over AFC Liverpool when the scoreline was poised at 0-0 in a game that Widnes would go on to comfortably win.
While powerless to deny the two goals conceded in the 3-2 win at AFC Darwen, Richie displayed his usual confidence between the sticks, managing the game as the Widnes shot-stopper claimed a number of crosses late in the second half to preserve Widnes’ winning-margin.
Richie wouldn’t concede again for the remainder of the month, and contributed offensively when the opportunity arose in a 5-0 Macron Cup win over Winsford United, providing a pinpoint pass for Ben Hodkinson who teed up Kev Towey to open the scoring.
A relatively quiet evening followed against his former club Northwich Victoria, but Richie had to be alert to make a couple of good saves either side of the break as Widnes ran out 4-0 winners.
His standout performance came one week later away at 1874 Northwich. Perhaps fortunate to see Kyle Riley’s effort crash back off the bar early on, Richie recovered to produce a Man of the Match performance.
Not for the first time this season, Richie came to Widnes’ rescue, saving a late Scott McGowan penalty as his side underlined their promotion credentials.
While relatively untroubled against West Didsbury & Chorlton, Richie had to command his area effectively, remaining on his toes to collect a number of crosses played into Widnes’ area.
Richie displayed his experience in the win over Maine Road to end the month. Although he was relatively untroubled, Richie remained alert, commanding his area and back line well when called upon.
DIVISION ONE - MICHAEL SMITH OF PRESTWICH HEYS
Three clean sheets in eight games during April represents a fine return for Mike, who continues to prove himself a fine goalkeeper at the heart of a well-drilled Heys defence.
Mike goes about his business in a quiet and unassuming manner, controlling his penalty area with authority, great in the air and a fine shot-stopper.
In key games, Mike has stepped up to make vital saves, a point close-range block and an athletic tip onto the crossbar ensuring a win at Chadderton at the start of April setting the standard.
Perhaps Mike's finest quality is his ability to switch on and make key saves when he has not been called on for some time.
At FC Oswestry Town, in a game where Heys controlled for long periods, the home side found Smith in resolute form on their forays forward, dominating his penalty area and smothering danger.
In defeat at New Mills, Mike made a fingertip save and blocked another fierce drive to keep Heys in the game up to the final whistle.
Mike was again pivotal in Heys securing victory against Carlisle City, the visitors had brought the game back to 3-2 from 3-0 and looked like pressing on, but Smith pulled off a vital stop which helped settle the team down before the home side went on to win comfortably.
Similarly against Atherton LR, Smith bossed his area after the visitors had taken the lead, and was alert to danger in covering a series of through balls, and after Heys had gone 2-1 up, Mike made a string of saves, pushing a powerful shot wide and saving a point-blank effort as Atherton threatened.
Mike’s form has been all the more remarkable in a hectic month where the Heys squad has been rotated regularly, yet he has gone about organising his defence without fuss and helped ensure Prestwich secured a play-off berth.
His consistency has been vital to Heys collecting wins in their promotion push, and a place in the LWC Drinks First Division Cup final, both during the month of April and throughout the season.
