Who will be this season’s Golden boy?
GOAL-GETTERS get all the glory, don’t they? Irrespective of how their team have performed, the men up top are invariably the ones who grab the headlines when The NLP hits the newsstands on a Sunday morning.
While we acknowledge and appreciate the roles of their teammates, managers, clubs and supporters in other National Game Awards categories, we have set aside a separate accolade to honour Non-League’s top net-baggers in the shape of our NGA Golden Boot.
Top strikers such as last year’s winner, Nnamdi Nwachuku, then of AFC Sudbury, have taken home the prized decanter, now it’s time to crown our 2023-24 winner at AFC Wimbledon’s Plough Lane Stadium on Wednesday May 22.
Top of the list is undoubtedly Joe Taylor, whose 49 goals in all competitions has helped Ramsgate challenge for honours in Isthmian South East.
Taylor has scored 38 goals in the league, nine in the FA Cup and two in the FA Trophy. He’s been phenomenal.
As too Worthing goal-getter Ollie Pearce, who took his National League South total to 40 at the weekend, adding a further goal in the FA Trophy. He’s helped the Rebels secure a play-off place once again and is high on many managers’ shopping lists this summer.
Eastleigh’s Paul McCallum tops the National League scoring charts with 31 goals for the Spitfires so far, plus three in the FA Cup, while Paul Blackett has been banging them in for South Shields in National League North – 29 goals in total and counting before yesterday.
But it’s the Isthmian League where the sharp shooters have emanated from this season. Dawid Rogalski has notched 34 for South Central promotion hopefuls Marlow, plus another two in the Trophy, while Jake Reed has helped Lowestoft Town challenge for North honours with 32 goals.
And at Step 3, Enfield Town’s Marcus Wyllie is up to 33 goals, including three in the FA Cup.
All of these would be a perfect fit to grace the glittering NGA stage come May 23, but who will be crowned the official goal king?