Shepherd Neame Performance of the Month, March 2025

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

Pitching In Isthmian Premier

On March 22nd Pitching In Isthmian League leaders Billericay Town, starting the day with a two point lead at the top, were back at their New Lodge where they welcomed Wingate and Finchley, a clash between two sides in fine form. The home Blues had won six of their previous seven, whilst the travelling Blues were seven unbeaten but ten places and twenty points worse off. 

Billericay took the lead after just five minutes, Alfie Cerulli scoring his fourth goal in seven matches since his return to Essex- but the visitors drew level on the half hour, Ore Bello scoring for the third match in succession- and Bello wasn’t finished, giving Wingate the lead just before half time. The hosts did their best, but the equaliser wouldn’t come- and in added time at the end of the match Wingate, who also won at New Lodge last season, rubbed salt in the wounds by adding a third, Ogo Obi scoring his twenty sixth of the season to ensure that most of the one thousand, seven hundred and thirty seven watching on had a miserable Saturday night.

Many congrats to all at Summers Lane on this victory- and now you’ll have a shiny trophy to remember it by.

Pitching In Isthmian North

Brightlingsea Regent were in fine form, and had a five point advantage in the race for fifth place as they travelled to bottom side Ipswich Wanderers on March 11th.  Wanderers could hardly remember their last victory- it was almost six months earlier- but they went ahead in the early stages of the second half, Jose De La Paz scoring the opening goal of the game. To the delight of the home faithful- and goodness, they deserved some delight- their side held on for three rare and beautiful points, and now they’ll have our Performance of the Month trophy to remind them of a fabulous evening. Many congratulations. 

Pitching In Isthmian South Central

Saturday March 1st  saw second place Kingstonian welcome Westfield to Raynes Park, the visitors hoping to avoid a third successive defeat- and to get revenge for the five-nil hammering they had suffered the previous time that the two sides had met. 

Field had the best of the early stages, Caleb Wright delighting the yellow hordes on eleven minutes with the opening goal. Just before the half hour the visitors went two up, Jack Beadle with that one, and a Westfield win soon turned into a massacre. 

Lui Edwards added a third with nineteen minutes left only for Eddie Simon to quickly respond from the spot, but that spurred on the visitors to score a fourth and a fifth, Beadle three minutes from time and Tobi Adaje with the fifth in added time- a magnificent victory, and one which now comes with a shiny trophy!

Pitching In Isthmian South East Division

Sittingbourne had won our Performance of the Month Award for five months in a row, so it seems somehow fitting that it now goes to the side who defeated them!

The Brickies looked to make it thirty matches unbeaten as they headed to Three Bridges, and they made the breakthrough against their play off chasing hosts midway through the first half, Liam Smith with the goal- but Bridges, with only two defeats from ten, were soon level, Noel Leighton delivering the equaliser. Seven minutes into the second half the Brickies struck again, Ryan Kingford the scorer, but they were ahead for only one minute before Leighton equalised for a second time. It looked as if a draw would be the outcome, but then in added time we got late drama galore, a penalty for the hosts, and Ben Holden stepped up to put it away and end that long unbeaten Brickies run. 

Bridges, who were also nominated for their hammering of Beckenham Town, had a superb month-  and now they have a trophy, too. Many congratulations to all at the club.

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.