Shepherd Neame Performance of the Month, September 2024

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

Pitching In Isthmian Premier

Lewes had opened up a six point lead at the top, and took that and an unbeaten record to Potters Bar Town. It didn’t end well for the Rooks, but the Bar Army were treated to an afternoon of delight! 

The Scholars went ahead on thirty five minutes, Brandon Adams with the goal- and within four minutes the travelling faithful were left downcast as David Hicks made it two. On fifty three minutes the Rooks defensive strength this season looked to have entirely departed as Ben Ward-Cochrane made it three, and it was certainly missing in action when Steve Cawley’s ninth of the season made it four. It got worse for the visitors on sixty seven minutes as the Scholars made it five, Rickie Hayles with that one, and finally the agony ended there for the visitors, their lead cut to four points and the Scholars up to third. Congratulations to all at Potters Bar Town on a magnificent performance- and you’ll soon have a shiny trophy to remember it by.

Pitching In Isthmian North

Pitching In Isthmian North Gorleston had a big scalp in their sights, National League South St Albans City making the trip to Great Yarmouth in the Third Qualifying Round of the FA Cup. City had been rather unimpressive in the League, but had looked to be starting to find their feet- three unbeaten- only to be swept off them by the Greens. The opening goal went to Christy Finch, scoring four minutes before the break, and then the early stages of the second half saw the match go rather goal crazy. First, City levelled on fifty three minutes- but it took only two minutes for Finch to restore the lead for the Greens, and then on fifty eight minutes Joe Jefford made it three-one. Four minutes later Finch got his hat trick from the spot, four-one. 

City got a goal back with thirteen minutes left, but that was as good as it got for the visitors, a magnificent result for the Greens, who have a Fourth Qualifying Round match at Horsham to look forward to, and now have our trophy to help them remember a rather magnificent day. 

Pitching In Isthmian South Central

Leatherhead haven’t had the best of starts to their League campaign, but it has been a different story in knockout competitions. They were drawn against high flying Premier Division side Dulwich Hamlet in the FA Cup First Qualifying Round, travelled to Champion Hill, and came within six minutes of pulling off a shock victory in front of a crowd of one thousand, two hundred and seventy- a double from Sebastian Karczewski turning out to be not quite enough. Off we went to Fetcham Grove for the replay, and this time the Tanners were just too good for Hamlet, a goal from Tom Kavanagh four minutes from time earning them victory- and our Performance of the Month Award for September. Congratulations to all in green. 

Pitching In Isthmian South East Division

Margate travelled from one seaside to another to take on Bognor Regis Town in The FA Cup Second Qualifying Round. Gate travelled to Sussex on the back of three successive wins and with an unbeaten record- and they had a fine start against their Premier Division hosts, Lewis Knight putting them ahead after just four minutes. On nineteen minutes they had another, Ibrahim Olutade doubling their advantage, and Olutade added a third seven minutes from half time leaving the home faithful rather shellshocked. Four minutes from time Bognor’s humiliation was complete, as Gate player-boss Ben Greenhalgh added a fourth- and most of the four hundred and seventy nine watching on went home rather miserable. 

Congratulations to all Hartsdown Park, our Performance of the Month award winners for September. 

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.