Sponsors name their top stoppers

By David Watters

Dulwich Hamlet's Preston Edwards, Thurrock's Bobby Mason and Joe Mant at Hythe Town have signed off 2016 in style as December's winners of the Ryman League's Precision Goalkeeping Golden Gloves awards.

The stoppers were named on Saturday as the final winners of the monthly ‘safe hands’ honours in the Ryman Premier, Ryman North and Ryman South divisions which are sponsored by Nottingham-based Reydon Sports PLC, the UK's largest sports and leisure wholesale and distribution company.

Through their Precision Goalkeeping brand, the trio can all look forward to receiving a pair of Precision Goalkeeping gloves provided by ProKit UK, the nominated retailer administering the awards on their behalf.

Edwards, who arrived at Champion Hill from Boreham Wood in February 2016, is not short of experience having kicked off his career at Millwall before moving on to Dover Athletic, Grays Athletic, Ebbsfleet United and Boreham Wood. To win his first accolade of the campaign, the 27-year-old former England C stopper conceded five goals in three wins, two draws and a single reverse for Gavin Rose's promotion-chasers.

Thurrock keeper Mason completes a double winning month for the Ryman North club after his boss Mark Stimson was named on Saturday as one of the Ryman League's Macron and Nicholas Rowe Tailoring Managers of the Month for December. To earn his first accolade of the season, the former Bowers & Pitsea keeper conceded just three goals in six straight wins.

Hythe Town are also in the race for promotion thanks to the performances of Mant in December. Signed last season from Ashford United where he scooped the player of the year award in 2014, the 21-year stopper conceded four goals in four wins and a draw for Clive Cook's side in Ryman South action to collect the division's final safe hands laurels of 2016 and his first of the campaign.

Precision Goalkeeping boast an impressive list of keeping talent on their books including Kasper Schmeichel, Kieren Westwood, Tomasz Kuszczak, Darren Randolph, David Forde, Frank Fielding, Brian Jensen, Robert Olejnik, Andy Lonergan, Ian McLoughlin, Trevor Carson and Republic of Ireland goalkeeping coach and former international Alan Kelly.

Former England manager Graham Taylor is lead ‘brand ambassador’ for the company which was established in 2005 and also has official partnerships with the Irish Football Association and the Football Association of Wales.

For further information on Precision Goalkeeping visit:www.precisiontraining.uk.com.

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Where next?

New Year sale for key clash! Enfield Town are holding their own January sale to encourage fans to turn out in force for their key clash with Grays Athletic in the Ryman Premier.
Final managerial maestros named Worthing double act Gary Elphick and Jon Meeney, Mark Stimson at Thurrock and South Park's Malcolm Porter are the Ryman League's final Macron and Nicholas Rowe Tailoring Managers of the Month of 2016.

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