Who is your number one No.1?
NEVER let it be said that here at The Non-League Paper, we don’t always look after number 1s.
The clock is ticking before we hand out the decanters supplied to us by our friends at Supreme Engraving at the SCL National Game Awards 2017.
Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge is our home for the afternoon on Wednesday, May 17, and it’s already shaping up to be our best yet after a record breaking season for Non-League clubs and some electrifying title races across the divisions.
One thing is for sure, the recipient of the award in question won’t have a worrying moment when he gets his big hands on the coveted glass NGA.
The grip will be firm on the Reusch Goalkeeper of the Year accolade – and some may be thinking the keeper in question will already have recent experience in stepping up to collect the award.
Ross Worner won it last season for his performances between the posts for Sutton United as they kept Ebbsfleet United at arm’s length to win the National League South title.
This season, the man with golden gloves was using his full stretch to keep Cheltenham, AFC Wimbledon and Leeds United out in the FA Cup before not quite getting his fingertips to Arsenal’s two goals at Gander Green Lane. Could he make it a first ever NGA double? Well there’s plenty of competition for you to consider when it comes to selecting your stand out stopper. Like Aldershot’s Jake Cole, who has been incredible as the club shock everyone and put together a National League promotion assault.
Protector
Paul Farman at Lincoln has had a great year, while James Montgomery has turned Gateshead into genuine playoff contenders after signing from AFC Telford.
There’s a lot of quality in the lower leagues too, such as Maidenhead’s Carl Pentney and Ebbsfleet United’s keeper Nathan Ashmore. Between them, they have only let in 51 National League South goals.
Incredibly, AFC Fylde have conceded three more than both of them, but Kidderminster have shipped only 34. Brackley Town may think their post protector Laurie Walker is worthy of a shout too.
But remember, this isn’t just a category for the National League – any keeper in the pyramid can win it.
Stats are on the side of Leamington custodian Tony Breeden as few can beat his record of just 25 goals against in 41 Southern League Premier games. Hereford keeper Martin Horsell comes close, he has watched only 26 goals fly past him before the weekend.
Who’s your man with the golden gloves? Vote for your number one number one!