Shepherd Neame Performance of the Month, January 2025

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

Pitching In Isthmian Premier

Dulwich Hamlet had been having rather a rough time, with one win in ten, but on January 4th they welcomed a side having an even rougher time, bottom side Bognor Regis Town having taken two points from the last thirty available- and it got even rougher for the Rocks after less than a minute as Luke Wanadio gave the hosts the lead. Bognor really have had little luck this season, and a red card for Amadou Jallow on twenty minutes reduced their chances still further- and yet the ten men struck back, Lewis Beale levelling six minutes later. 

Hamlet quickly regained the lead, Ralfi Hand making it two-one, and six minutes before half time Hand struck again, three-one. And then came perhaps the most sensational comeback of the campaign.

On sixty six minutes the depleted Rocks got another, Tommy-Lee Higgs scoring for the fifteenth time this season and bringing it back to three-two, as well as prompting many of the two thousand, two hundred and sixty eight watching to begin biting their nails. Three minutes from time the visitors drew level, Jasper Mather with the equaliser, and in the last minute the impossible became possible, Higgs making it four-three to the Rocks! 

We’ve decided that Bognor deserve our Performance of the Month award- perhaps they can take heart from this as they attempt a great escape! Congratulations to all at the club. 

Pitching In Isthmian North

You would expect a match up between second and third place sides to be a tough, nervous battle- but twice last month Brentwood Town proved the exception to that rule, with two thumping victories over Bury Town. The Essex Blues defeated the Suffolk Blues four-one at the Arena, and then three-nil at Ram Meadow, and, given that away matches tend to be more difficult, we’ve chosen the latter as our Performance of the Month. Let’s be fair, though, either victory would have done! 

Congrats to all at the club- a second award of the month after they also picked up our Golden Gloves prize. 

Pitching In Isthmian South Central

In a Velocity Cup Quarter Final, Pitching In Isthmian Premier strugglers Hastings United welcomed South Central side Binfield to Pilot Field- and the Moles were giantkillers once more. 

Binfield had been on the road in each of the previous three rounds, and defeated Badshot Lea, Harrow Borough, and hammered Dulwich Hamlet to reach this stage- and they went through to the Semi-Final after inflicting even more misery on their hosts. The Premier Division side ended the first half two goals behind, Richard Jones Jr on twenty four minutes and Rahzir Smith-Jones from the spot in added time giving the travelling faithful a boost. Try as they might, Hastings could find no way back, and although they got a consolation, Adam Lovatt’s goal arrived three minutes into added time, and there was little time left for another. 

Many congratulations to the Moles, who very much deserve our 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? Well, we’re off to Sittingbourne to honour them for an FA Trophy victory over National League South side Salisbury (and given Saturday's result at Southend, February isn't looking like it will provide a great deal of change)! 

It took forty nine minutes for the opening goal to arrive, and it went to the Brickies, Richie Hamill making the breakthrough. That left them a rather long time to hold on- but they did more than hold on, they scored again, two minutes into added time, Henry Sinai making it two-nil. Seven minutes into added time the visitors scored from the spot- but the Brickies held on, another giant removed from the competition, and are now in the last sixteen! That was a twenty fourth unbeaten match for Sittingbourne, and at this rate they’ll need to build a clubhouse extension just to hold their trophy cabinet. 

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.