Shepherd Neame Performance of the Month, February 2025

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

Pitching In Isthmian Premier

Leaders Dartford, twenty one matches unbeaten, headed over the crossing and up the M25 to take on Cheshunt. The Darts had a one point lead at the top, so knew that anything other than victory could see them dethroned, whilst the Ambers were fifteenth, having opened up an eight point gap between themselves and the drop zone after a run which had brought only three defeats from their previous ten. 

The hosts took the lead in first half added time, Donnell Thomas with the opening goal, and if that was something of a shock, they added a second just before the hour, Kenny Coker making it two-nil. Twenty minutes remaining and the Ambers were awarded a spot kick, Vas Vasiliou making it three-nil, and that long unbeaten run had come to an end for the Darts- as had their grip on top spot. 

Congratulations to the Ambers on a superb performance- you’re about to get a trophy to help you remember it!

Pitching In Isthmian North

Leaders Felixstowe and Walton United hit the road to East London- and they faced a tough challenge, as their hosts were sixth place Walthamstow. Stow started the day six points away from the top five and very much needed a win, and were in fine form, having won their previous four- and they went ahead eleven minutes before half time, Louie Johnson the scorer. The Seasiders levelled just before half time, Sam Ford with the equaliser, but two goals in two minutes in the early stages of the second half left the leaders with a mountain to climb, Tayo Oyebola’s fifty fifth minute goal followed two minutes later by Bilal Sayoud making it three-one. 

The next goal looked crucial, and again it went to the hosts, Johnson making it four-one, and although Rob Harvey quickly got one back Johnson followed that by claiming the match ball and making it five-two. In added time Jack Ainsley reduced the deficit, making it five-three, but that was that- a wonderful win for Walthamstow, and now our Shepherd Neame Performance of the Month prize.

Pitching In Isthmian South Central

Farnham Town travelled to second place Kingstonian on February 19th looking to increase their lead at the top to nine points- and they did just that, and with such panache that you’d have thought they were under no pressure whatsoever.

The K’s home form had been something of an achilles heel of late, with only one win from their previous four at Raynes Park, and Farnham, with the best away record in the entire league, were always likely to exploit any fragility. That said, we expected a close encounter, and what we got was a massacre. 

Town went ahead on thirty nine minutes, Owen Dean scoring for the twenty fourth time this season- and that was quickly followed by a Ben Purcell long range beauty, two-nil at half time. Try as they might, the K’s had no answer, and seventeen minutes from time substitute Great Evans made it three-nil, pouncing from close range only five minutes after emerging from the bench. Right at the end another substitute, Kai Tanner, made it four- but he had been on the pitch for an entire seven minutes!

Many congratulations to our leaders on yet another prize. 

Pitching In Isthmian South East Division

October saw us head to Sittingbourne to recognise them for an FA Trophy victory over Step Three side Dover Athletic. November saw us head to Sittingbourne to recognise them for an FA Trophy victory over Step Three side Winchester City. December saw us head to Sittingbourne to honour them for an FA Trophy win over National League South side Enfield Town. January saw us head to Sittingbourne to honour them for an FA Trophy victory over National League South side Salisbury! February? You already know the answer, don’t you? We’re not sure that any side has ever won our Performance of the Month award five months in a row, but that’s another record the Brickies have broken. 

We’ve already used every superlative in the dictionary to describe Sittingbourne’s performances this season, and the Brickies, who were twenty seven matches unbeaten in all competitions as they travelled to take on National League side Southend United, left us scratching our heads in amazement once more. In front of a crowd of four thousand, eight hundred and ten, and with penalties looming, Sittingbourne scored a winner in the seventh minute of added time, Anthony Church the hero of the hour (and a half). 

Many congratulations to the Brickies- again. Perhaps we should just rent a room at Woodstock Park just to save on petrol. 

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.