Shepherd Neame Performance of the Month, November 2024

Our congratulations for some superb performances go to the following clubs:

Pitching In Isthmian Premier

We visited Hendon last month to bestow this award, and…we’re off to Silver Jubilee Park once more.

Tenth place Hendon welcomed Hastings United to Silver Jubilee Park, five points and seven places separating the sides. The Greens had only one win from six coming into the match -although three of those were draws- but had been very strong on their own patch, with only one defeat at home in any competition this season. United, conversely, had won only once on the road in the league, and indeed had only two wins from ten, and they had a poor start, Niko Muir putting the Greens ahead after only nine minutes. Muir was quickly on target again, a penalty on thirteen minutes making it two-nil, and it was three-nil only six minutes later, Kai Brosnan leaving the travelling faithful contemplating a miserable afternoon. It got even more miserable five minutes before half time when Sam Adenola made it four, and the misery certainly wasn’t over, as Muir added a fifth on forty eight minutes to claim the match ball, and then scored number six five minutes later. Still Hendon weren’t finished, and neither was Muir, scoring his fifth of the afternoon and his sides seventh on sixty seven minutes, and four minutes later Brosnan made it EIGHT. At this point we were beginning to wonder whether Hastings had actually turned up, and eleven minutes from time Ethan Light made it NINE! Finally, the torture stopped for the Sussex side. 

Congratulations to the Greens, a nine-nil win cannot be ignored! Much more of this you’ll need to build a new trophy cabinet!

Pitching In Isthmian North

Brentwood Town had a long trip in prospect on November 16th, the Blues heading to National League North promotion chasers Hereford in the FA Trophy 2nd Round. The Blues weren’t overawed by the one thousand, four hundred and forty two mainly home fans, and delivered one of the greatest victories in their history! 

After eighty one minutes without a goal it seemed we were off to penalties, but Benas Vaivada decided otherwise, finishing confidently at the back post after a fine run and cross from Marlon Agyakwa, to seal perhaps the win of the round. A red card for their hosts soon afterwards helped them hold on, and victory sparked enormous celebrations amongst the travelling faithful.

The reward for these endeavours is a home tie with Southend United on Saturday which we believe is already sold out- and to go with it, we’ll be bringing the Blues a nice, shiny trophy to remember their magnificent victory- and that’s no bull! Congratulations to all at the club- and let’s hope you can do it all again against the Shrimpers. 

Pitching In Isthmian South Central

Last Saturday saw second place Kingstonian welcome South Park Reigate, the K’s aware that victory could have taken them to within one point of top spot. On paper, the match seemed a home banker- the K’s looking for a ninth consecutive league win, whilst the travelling Sparks, fourth from bottom, were still to win a match on the road- but the form book was thrown out of the window and trampled on. The match had only one goal, and it went to Vinnie Tume, after just fifteen minutes, which left the hosts an awful long time to find an equaliser. The visitors had other ideas, and held onto what they had valiantly to take a deserved three points back to Reigate- and now they will have a trophy to remember a fabulous days work. Congratulations Sparks! 

Pitching In Isthmian South East Division

Last month we headed to Sittingbourne to recognise them for an FA Trophy victory over Step Three side Dover Athletic. And this month? Well, we’re heading to Sittingbourne to recognise them for an FA Trophy victory over Step Three side Winchester City!

There were many contenders for the South East prize, and the outcome was close, but you just can’t ignore a giant killing- and the Brickies have become rather good at that this season. That was their fourth of those, as they’ve defeated Dover twice, in Cup and Trophy, as well as Bognor Regis Town. Even more impressively, three of those four victories came away from home.

Congratulations to the Brickies- again. At this rate we might as well pitch a tent in the car park and stay there! 

Many thanks to our sponsors, Shepherd Neame, the oldest brewers in Britain. With pubs and hotels across the country, Shepherd Neame should be your first choice for accommodation after a long away trip, or just for a refreshing drink or a nice meal before or after the game. You can find out more about what they have to offer by heading to their website- here.