Uhlsport Golden Gloves Awards- April 2024

Remember, these awards are given on the basis of league matches only- and clubs must have played at least three of those to qualify! [b]Premier Division[/b] We’re off to the seaside, travelling to the east end of Brighton where we find those fine Whitehawk folk. The Hawks ended the campaign superbly, hoisting themselves into the top ten with an eight match unbeaten run, which included victories over Carshalton Athletic, Concord Rangers, Hastings United, Kingstonian and eventual Play Off Winners Enfield Town. As well as three points, those five wins also had something else in common- they were all accompanied by a zero in the goals against column. Only three goals were conceded during the entire month- in eight matches- and we’re here to deliver praise not only to their fabulous defensive record but to the last line of that defence, Mitch Walker, who didn’t have to reach behind him even once during those victories. Congratulations to Mitch- and to those who stand in front of him. [b]North Division[/b] We’re off to Suffolk, and we’re paying tribute to the Bury Town backline. Town had a magnificent second half to the season, and although they fell short in the Play Offs they have many reasons not to be too disappointed. The last month of the season brought five League matches, an unbeaten month and eleven points, and three clean sheets, against Champions Lowestoft Town, Maldon and Tiptree and Enfield. Ten goals scored, two conceded- and some tremendous football at both ends- although we’re focusing particularly on the rearguard. Charlie Beckwith had a fine month, and deserves our applause- and a fine pair of new gloves. [b]South Central Division[/b] We’ve already taken a trip to Woking to deliver an award this month, and we liked it so much that we’re off there again! April brought seven matches, twenty one points, four clean sheets, seventeen goals scored and three conceded- magnificent form whichever way you look at it- and we’re here to pay tribute to that watertight defence. Field keeper Sonny Wheeler has had a quite brilliant season, and he’s going to end it with a quite brilliant pair of new gloves, courtesy of those quite brilliant folks at uhlsport. Congratulations Sonny. [b]South East Division[/b] Our South East Award certainly BEARS scrutiny, as we’re about to tell you a tale of some folks who might growl a little but have never been known to enter the woods for unpleasant purposes, and who have had a rather superb debut Isthmian season. Broadbridge Heath have really grown into life at Step Four, and finished the season with a run which left opponents wishing they’d been issued with an appropriate ursine deterrent. The Bears played five matches during the final month of the campaign, went unbeaten, and kept three clean sheets- and it’s also worth pointing out that the only side to defeat them in their last twelve matches were champions Cray Valley PM, and even the all-conquering Millers only just managed it. April’s clean sheets came against Merstham, Burgess Hill Town and Hythe Town, and the keeper for those matches- and for the one-one draw against Horndean- was George Clark Evans. Many congratulations to George, who has some marvellous gloves coming his way. [b]Thanks to uhlsport for sponsoring our Golden Gloves awards. uhlsport are goalkeeper specialists, providing the latest in design and innovation to the last lines of defence all over the world- but it would be wrong to think that they only look after keepers, as they also provide kit and equipment to support the rest of the squad, too. You can look at their latest product catalogues- and contact their sales representatives- by heading [url=https://uhlsport.group/en/uhlsport-uk/]here[/url]. [/b] [i]Follow the Pitching In Isthmian League on Instagram. Head [url=https://www.instagram.com/theisthmianleague/?hl=en]here [/url]or search for theisthmianleague on your app. We're also on [url=https://www.facebook.com/isthmianleague]Facebook [/url]and [url=https://twitter.com/IsthmianLeague]Twitter[/url].[/i]