Shepherd Neame Performance of the Month, December 2025

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

Pitching In Isthmian Premier

On the Saturday before Christmas Burgess Hill Town, in fifth place, were at home to the side one place and one point behind them, Aveley. The Hillians had lost only two of ten and won three of their last four, whilst the Millers unbeaten run stretched back eleven matches. We thought this one would be tight- but as it turned out, it was anything but, particularly in a one-sided first half. 

Aveley were quickly ahead, George Saunders striking home a free kick on twelve minutes, and it was soon two-nil, Ryan Charles adding the second. On eighteen minutes Charles struck again from distance to silence the home crowd and make it three-nil, and Ollie Peters made it four just before the half hour. Perhaps Hill finally had something go their way early in the second half, Ryan Henshaw dismissed for the Millers, and they quickly capitalised, Max Fiddes getting them finally onto the scoresheet. Nine minutes from time it was two-four, Alex Brewer reducing the deficit yet further, but if that gave the home fans slight hope of a miracle it was soon removed, Saunders adding a fifth for the visitors four minutes later. Finally the scoring stopped, Aveley taking the Hillians fifth place- and now they have our Performance of the Month prize too!

Pitching In Isthmian North

Following Felixstowe and Walton United’s hammering at the hands of Waltham Abbey the previous Saturday, second place Maldon and Tiptree had the chance to replace them at the top of the table on December 2nd- but hosts Brightlingsea Regent had other ideas!

After a slow start to the campaign Regent were beginning to show the form that took them to the Promotion Final last season, and they went ahead on fourteen minutes, Daniel Rowe the scorer. Nine minutes before half time it was two-nil, Matthew Tricker with that one, and just before the hour the shellshocked Jammers conceded a third, Harry McDonald adding another.

The visitors then roused themselves. A goal from Cameron James six minutes from time gave them hope, and they got a second in added time, Matt Yates with it- but it wasn’t enough, as Regent held on for victory.

That was the first time this season the Jammers had conceded more than two goals in the league- and indeed, as we write, it remains the only time. The only side to score more against the Jammers in any competition are Port Vale! Congrats go to Regent, who will now have a permanent memento of a magnificent performance courtesy of our sponsors, Shepherd Neame.  

Pitching In Isthmian South Central

On December 6th Littlehampton Town were at home to third bottom Binfield, the Moles six points from safety, which made the hosts very much the favourites. It certainly didn’t turn out that way!

The visitors had a fine start, ahead after only three minutes, Owen Smith the scorer. On eleven minutes the lead was doubled, Lamin Ceesay with that one, and there the scoring stopped- at least until three minutes from time when Harry Pashley made it three. Pashley scored again deep in added time, four-nil the final score and the Moles survival bid given a real boost. 

Congrats to all at Binfield, Performance of the Month winners for December. 

Pitching In Isthmian South East Division

December 30th saw Chatham Town, in third place in Pitching In Isthmian Premier and Velocity Cup finalists for the previous two years, travel to South East side Crowborough Athletic with their eyes firmly set upon a promotion and Cup double- but they were left to concentrate on the former, as the Crows ended their chances of the latter.

The travelling Chats fell behind on the half hour, Brady Ayoola scoring his third goal in seven matches. By that point both sides had seen efforts chalked off for offside, and, despite chances at both ends, the ball wasn’t interested into heading into either net for the remainder of the match- not that the hosts minded. Victory for Crowborough, giants slain, and a Quarter Final tie against Redbridge to come- and now our Performance of the Month prize to help them remember a fabulous night under the lights.

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.