Reusch Goalkeeper of the Month Awards January 2023

Fri 10th February 2023 | League Awards
By Martin Fallon

The Reusch Goalkeeper of the Month awards for January 2023 have been announced.

PREMIER DIVISION - DAVE PARTON (CONGLETON TOWN)

Despite Congleton Town in general faltering in their standards set in the month before, Dave Parton continued to show what an excellent ‘keeper he is. He played in four of the five games that Congleton played, two cup ties and two league games. He conceded goals in just one of those games against Padiham and in the other three he kept clean sheets.

Starting with the Cheshire Senior Cup tie against a confident Stockport Town, Dave made much of his work that evening look routine. That belied the difficult weather conditions that evening with frequent squally showers and a blustery wind. Concentration is a key to good goalkeeping and he certainly showed that with good anticipation when Stockport broke through and safe handling of crosses in open play and set piece situations.

In the important FA Vase 4th round tie at home to Pinchbeck United, the Bears enjoyed much of the play but despite the scoreline, Dave had several opportunities to show his class. On 30 minutes with the score 0-0 he blocked a goal bound shot and with the score 4-0 and 15 minutes left he pulled off a stunning save from Pinchbeck’s Williams as he tipped a way a shot heading for the top corner. There was still time for him to deny Wier-Daley to see a chance saved when he had just Dave to beat.

The Bears loss of league form started with the visit of Padiham who were much the better side throughout the game. Padiham were the first team in the month to beat Dave in goal and it took a special finish as they stole the ball off the defence to send a screamer into the top corner. The second came when a good build up presented a clear shot at goal which Dave blocked but was helpless when the rebound was put away. Other than that, he was equal to all other efforts on goal.

Finally, a stiff test against third placed AVRO required Dave to be at his very best. Again, the visitors had the better chances and Dave had to deny ex-Bear McCarthy early in the match. AVRO’s Abadaki broke down the right, but Dave timed his advance well to block the final shot. The same AVRO player was denied later in the match by another fine save by Parton. All this accompanied by safe handling and good positional play to make other efforts look routine.

Well done Dave!

FIRST DIVISION NORTH - LENNY FIELDHOUSE (DARWEN FC)

Lenny's confidence has grown and grown over the last few months after returning to football after sustaining serious facial injuries as a result of an unprovoked attack last season. He has proved over the last month how far he has come by only conceding one goal in the three games that he played in January 2023.

Lenny works hard at training and is a valued team member. Unfortunately, in the last two games he has again been unable to play due to a knee injury but will hopefully be fit again soon to earn his first team place back.

Well done Lenny!

FIRST DIVISION SOUTH - JORDAN LATHAM (CHEADLE TOWN)

Jordan Latham has had a fantastic month between the sticks, with just one goal conceded in four games that Cheadle played and a man of the match performance in the excellent draw at Stockport Town.

Following a torrid run of results that ended on 2022, Cheadle Town got back to winning ways with a convincing 3-0 victory over Ashville where Jordan played is part in keeping a clean sheet. Then followed the 12-0 victory over Foley Meir, in which Jordan was a spectator during most of the game although he had to maintain his concentation throughout the game in Foley's rare ventures upfield.

Jordan then produced a Man of the Match performance in the 1-1 at Stockport Town, which was the first points dropped by Stockport Town at home this season. Twice in the first half Jordan produced to fantastic saves to deny Stockport Town, and that was followed up in the second half with another stunning save.

Jordan ended the month of January with another clean sheet in the 0-0 draw at Ellesmere Rangers. It was a difficult game and could have gone either way in terms of results, but some good handling by Jordan throughout the game limited Ellesmere to few direct goal scoring opportunities

Well done Jordan!

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