Pitching In Isthmian Performance of the Month, December 2023

December, or at least the bits of it that weren’t washed away, delivered some fine football- and here’s what we think was the best of it. Our Performance of the Month Award winners are as follows:

Pitching In Isthmian Premier

When Chatham Town welcomed leaders Hornchurch on December 16th, the visiting Urchins arrived with an unbeaten record, and having taken thirty seven points from the previous thirty nine available. Whilst the Chats were amongst their biggest rivals, it looked as if Hornchurch were running away with the title, so the hosts had not only their own fans giving them support, but probably the rest of the promotion hopefuls, in spirit if not in person! When they took the lead fifteen minutes from time it was probably fitting that the scorer was former Urchins legend Chris Dickson, and when Ashley Nzala doubled the lead seven minutes later the last unbeaten side in the Premier Division could no longer claim that accolade.

Many congrats to the Chats, our Performance of the Month winners for December.

Pitching In Isthmian North

On the Saturday before Christmas at Ram Meadow, Bury Town welcomed leaders Lowestoft Town. The hosts were on the up, three games unbeaten during which they’d scored eleven goals, but the arrival of the Trawler Boys looked to be a rather steep challenge, particularly as the visitors were six points clear at the top and hadn’t yet lost an away match. We say ‘hadn’t yet’ because they certainly lost this one, and indeed that defeat was absolutely comprehensive.

Bury went ahead after four minutes through Cemal Ramadan, and although the visitors levelled the hosts were ahead again by the break, Ollie Canfer with the second. After the break Bury took control and added two more, Ramadan adding another and Luke Brown finishing off what had become a rout.

Many congratulations to all at Bury Town, our Pitching In Isthmian North Performance of the Month winners for December.

Pitching In Isthmian South Central

Pitching In Isthmian South Central leaders Chertsey Town have been scoring goals for fun this season, and December saw them add nineteen to their total- including nine of them against Binfield and six against Corinthian-Casuals, which gave them two entries on our performance of the month shortlist. In the end, we plumped for that win over the Moles, as no matter the opposition, scoring nine goals whilst keeping a clean sheet is something that doesn’t happen too often! Louis Degand picked up the match ball after scoring three of them, whilst Gianluca Botti, Oliver McCoy, Conor Lee (2), Gareth Chendlik and Sam Omperon got the others.

Many congratulations to the Curfews.

Pitching In Isthmian South East Division

Hythe Town were perhaps the unexpected South East success story of last season, coming seemingly from nowhere not only to grab a Play Off spot but then getting to the Final where they were narrowly defeated by Whitehawk. Their FA Trophy tie with the Hawks on December 12th was, therefore, their first chance to get revenge over their now Premier Division opponents, and it was a chance they took.

By the time the Hawks got on the scoresheet nine minutes from time the Cannons were already two up, Aaron Barnes and Jake Embery with the goals, and they quickly responded to that Hawks goal by scoring another, Bradley Schafer putting them three-one up. Even another late Hawks consolation was only that- a consolation. Three-two winners, giants slain, revenge served- a fine night for Town, and now they have a shiny trophy to remember it by.

Many congratulations to Hythe Town, our December Pitching In Isthmian South East Performance of the month winners.

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