Young gun will have big boots to fill
THE Sportsbeat Young Player of the Year award is always keenly contested and this year’s winner will be following some big footsteps.
More and more youngsters are dropping into Non-League after ending spells with professional academies. A lot of the time, ability isn’t the issue so, as Non-League supporters, we often get to see some great players turn out for our clubs. Three years ago, Andre Gray had just helped fire Luton Town to the Conference title when he was named our Young Player of the Year. He’s not doing too badly for himself now, helping Burnley fight against relegation in the Premier League. Lee Angol, a name Lincoln City fans will be familiar with, won the award two years ago after netting 32 goals for Boreham Wood in their Conference South promotion season. Now at Peterborough, he’s on loan at the Imps and has made an instant impact.
Campaign
Last year, tireless midfielder Alex Woodyard was the latest to be crowned at our National Game Awards in association with SCL.
To be eligible, a player must be 23 years old or under so Woodyard won’t be retaining his title despite another fantastic campaign.
The award may not have to travel too far, however, with Woodyard’s team-mate Sean Raggett in the mix.
The centre-back has gained plenty of admirers for his performances this season in the Imps back four. He scored the winner at Burnley in the FA Cup fifth round and has been a rock for boss Danny Cowley.
Raggett’s fellow defender Ethan Pinnock has also impressed this season with Forest Green Rovers after stepping up from Dulwich Hamlet.
Impact
Goals always catch the eye and Chester forward James Alabi has scored 15 times for the Blues.
Football League clubs have also taken a liking to Aldershot Town’s Idris Kanu, who is still only 17.
The exciting attacker signed for the Shots after a trial with Manchester United and he has already made an impact in Gary Waddock’s side.
Tricky winger James Hardy has just returned from injury for AFC Fylde and could well see the Coasters over the line as they look to seal the National League North title.
Down in the NL South, Darren McQueen is Ebbsfleet United’s top scorer and picked up his first ever hat-trick in Tuesday night’s 8-0 demolition of Bishop’s Stortford.
Barwell’s rising star Brady Hickey and Matlock Town’s Marcus Dinanga have shone at Step 3, but we’re sure you can come up with plenty more.
If your club has a starlet that deserves to be rewarded, have your say and let us know!