Shepherd Neame Performance of the Month, January 2026

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

Pitching In Isthmian Premier

In the FA Trophy Fourth Round Chatham Town faced a tough challenge, National League leaders Carlisle United making the trip to the Bauvill. The Chats had been in fine form, and they went ahead on twenty five minutes, Matty Macarthur firing home a magnificent free kick. They had rather a long time to hold out, and their high-flying visitors did their best, but a valiant performance kept United at bay and saw Chatham through to the Fifth Round- the best Trophy run in their history. 

It’s a performance which we believe needs a permanent reminder- and that’s why our friends at Shepherd Neame will be calling on the Chats in the near future! 

Pitching In Isthmian North

Maldon and Tiptree, eight unbeaten including seven victories, had a tricky trip as they travelled to sixth place Stanway Rovers, the hosts starting the afternoon only a point outside the top five and having games in hand over the three sides ahead of them. Rovers had only one defeat from ten, and they had the lead in this one on twenty minutes, Jamie Bennett opening the scoring. Despite all that their visitors had to offer, Rovers held on for three valuable points, continuing a magnificent run and ending with a fifth victory in a row- and now they’ll have a trophy to remember it by, as it has been named our Performance of the Month.

Many congratulations to all at the club- who by the way have since made it six wins in a row and climbed into the top four. 

Pitching In Isthmian South Central

Binfield were our Performance of the Month winners for December- and the Moles get our January prize, too, after winning an incredible match against our South Central leaders, Leatherhead. 

The Tanners went ahead just before the half hour, Jacob Breckon with the opening goal. Nathan Hogan’s nineteenth of the season soon made it two, and by the break it was three, Anas Igozouln surely securing victory? Not on your Nelly!

The Moles weren’t prepared to lie down, and seven minutes into the second half Nathaniel Boakye got a goal back- and then on sixty four minutes Amari Fashanu brought it back to three-two. The unthinkable became real on sixty nine minutes as Kickie Dzimba made it three-three, and two minutes after that Fashanu made it four-three to the visitors! Binfield still weren’t finished, Boakye scoring from the spot to make it five-three seven minutes from time, and although the hosts pulled it back to four-five in added time, George Hedley the scorer, that was as good as it was to get for the leaders.

Many congratulations to all at Binfield, who pick up a twelve month hat trick, as they also picked up this award in January last year. 

Pitching In Isthmian South East Division

South East leaders Three Bridges made their longest trip of the year to take on Deal Town, looking for an eighth win in a row. They went ahead on twenty minutes, Noel Leighton opening the scoring- but the hosts drew level eight minutes before half time, Jacob Strouts- playing alongside brother Josh who was making his Deal debut- with the equaliser. Bridges were further shocked three minutes before half time when Wes Hennessey gave Town the lead, and the first half shocks hadn’t ended, as in added time Hennesey scored again. 

Six minutes into the second half Bridges got a goal back, Hayden Velvick bringing it back to three-two, and given their scoring record you’d perhaps have expected an equaliser to follow, but Deal had other ideas, and held on for three valuable points- and now have our Performance of the Month award to help them celebrate their fabulous victory. 

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.