AB1 Golden Gloves Awards- September/October 2020

It’s time to get back to normal- not that it feels all that normal at the moment- and recognise the meanest defences of the season so far. Please note, the outcomes are all calculated on statistics in league matches. Here we go:

Premier Division

Bishop’s Stortford have had a magnificent start to the season, and went through September and October undefeated. Their six league matches saw only five goals conceded (and Bognor Regis Town got two of those in an opening day draw), and although we don’t take cup matches into account, if we did their record would be a staggering six goals conceded in ten matches. Jack Giddens is their main man, so we suspect he’ll be the one who ends up wearing the golden gloves- unless one of his defenders suffers from cold hands- but it’s a team effort, so credit goes to Jack and those just ahead of him.

North Division
Bury Town played eleven matches during September and October, and because of some fine cup successes only four of those were league fixtures! Three of those league fixtures saw them record clean sheets, and Romford hold the distinction of being the only side to score against them in the Pitching In Isthmian North Division this season. If we were to add in the Cup and the Trophy, their clean sheet record is currently at sixty percent.

Joseph Rose is the current custodian of the number one shirt, so congratulations to him and his mean defence.

South Central Division

Tooting and Mitcham United have by far the meanest defence in the Pitching In Isthmian South Central Division so far this season. With seven matches played they’ve let in a miserly three goals- and as two of them came on the opening day, it won’t take a mathematical genius to work out that they’ve kept clean sheets in five of their last six matches. Bedfont Sports, Staines Town, FC Romania, Harlow Town and Ashford Town have all attempted to breach the Terrors defence and failed- so well done to Hertford Town- who got the two on the opening day- and Waltham Abbey, who got the other.

Gary Ross is the man in possession of the number one shirt, but he can’t take all the credit, so congratulations goes both to him and those who stand just in front of him.

South East Division

There was serious competition for the honour of being named the best defence in the Pitching In Isthmian South East Division, as both leaders Hastings United and sixth place Faversham Town have conceded only three goals. But the Golden Gloves are off to Pilot Field, on the basis that United’s feat covers seven league performances, whilst for the Lilywhites it’s only six.

Hastings started the campaign as title favourites, and they’ve taken that pressure in their stride with five wins and two draws from their seven matches. Top of the table, they’ve had four clean sheets so far; indeed if we were to add in cup competitions that total would be up to seven.

Louis Rogers has been the man behind that miserly back line, so congratulations go to him and his defensive colleagues.

Thanks to AB1 Goalkeeping for being our sponsors. You can take a look at their magnificent products- and they don’t just sell gloves- by heading HERE.

Premier League winner and international goalkeeper Asmir Begovic will be best known for his work between the posts, particularly for Stoke City, Chelsea and AFC Bournemouth. But he also has his own company- AB1 Goalkeeping- who provide magnificent products for discerning goalkeepers everywhere- and we are lucky enough to have them as sponsors of our Golden Gloves Award. As they explain:

'AB1 Goalkeeping was the brainchild of one of the Premier League’s leading goalkeepers, Asmir Begovic. With his 15 years’ experience playing at the highest levels of top-flight international football, plus a development team with over 20 years’ experience of developing first-class goalkeeping products, we have a range of equipment to suit all levels of the game, from Grass Roots Football to the Premier League.'