The Bostik Vardy

After an incredible scoring feat, could Junior Ugedi-Uzokwe be the Bostik League's answer to Jamie Vardy?

Two years ago this month, former Non-League striker Jamie Vardy was praised to the heavens for his scoring feats for Leicester City, and deservedly so. Vardy managed to find the back of the net in eleven consecutive Premier League matches, breaking a record previously held by Ruud van Nistelrooy with a goal- appropriately enough- against Manchester United.

Vardy’s run, however, stopped at eleven. Maldon & Tiptree’s Junior Ugedi-Uzokwe has just done better- and not just slightly better- although you probably haven’t read about this achievement in the national press.

When Junior found the back of the net twice on 9th September against Norwich United nobody was particularly surprised; after all these were his fifth and sixth goals of the season. But the run continued when he scored in the next match against AFC Hornchurch, and he then followed up with strikes against Waltham Abbey, Brentwood Town, Tilbury- he got three this time- AFC Sudbury, Bury Town, Haringey Borough, Ware, Aveley, Brentwood Town again, Soham Town Rangers (2), Dereham Town (another hat trick), Bowers and Pitsea and Canvey Island, before it finally came to an end in the Jammers 1-0 defeat to AFC Hornchurch earlier this week (although he did manage to hit the bar in the first half). That meant he had scored in an astonishing FIFTEEN consecutive league games!

Add in four FA Trophy goals during that period and you won’t be surprised to find out that Junior is way out ahead in the Bostik North scoring charts, having struck twenty-nine times already in this campaign.

We’re still checking our records to see where this feat lies in the annals of Isthmian League history- and if it is indeed a League record then we will let you know shortly- but even if it isn’t a record then it is still rather remarkable. Congratulations to Junior- and to all at Maldon who helped him to this magnificent achievement.

The Bostik League Jamie Vardy? Perhaps it's too early to say. But he might be on the road to being the next Michail Antonio.

Image courtesy of Maldon & Tiptree FC. Find all your Jammers news here.

Where next?

The Bostik Friday Interview: Mr Invicta Folkestone Invicta boss Neil Cugley on the last 21 seasons, refusing himself a pay rise and being a Great Dane's phone-a-friend!
Ware’s Craig? Craig Edwards is back in the Bostik League. Ware do you think he is?

The Pitching In Isthmian Football League newsletter

Keep up-to-date with our exclusive email newsletters.

Subscribe