Manager of the Month: Matthew Bates – Hartlepool United
Hartlepool United will look back and be thankful for goings on in March after earning eleven points in their bid for National League survival.
Matthew Bates was brought in to put out a fire with the Pools struggling for form and having parted company with manager Craig Harrison.
After relegation last season, fears were growing of another big fight – but Bates not only steadied the ship, he shot the club up the table.
March actually started slowly with a 2-1 defeat at Aldershot but the tide soon turned. Holding promotion hopefuls Boreham Wood and AFC Fylde to a draw, coming back from the dead at Mill Farm, set the tone.
Those points proved to be a catalyst for a three-match winning streak, with victories at Barrow, at home to Bromley and then at Maidstone United left Bates delighted – and with an award in his hands.
April hasn’t started in such an impressive way but the Pools may look back and be thankful for their unbeaten five-game period.
Player of the Month: Mitch Walker – Dover Athletic
Dependable number one Mitch Walker has been an ever-present for Dover Athletic in recent seasons and this campaign has been no different.
March saw the Whites pick up three important wins and a draw as they climbed back into the National League’s top seven.
Leyton Orient, Chester and, most impressively, leaders Macclesfield Town were all beaten during the month with all three clubs – plus Barrow – unable to find a way past Walker.
Four clean sheets in five matches were undoubtedly the foundation Dover needed and Walker’s showings were a big reason for those. A consistent goalkeeper is a key ingredient needed to compete at the top and the Whites are lucky to possess one of the division’s best.
Walker’s triple save against Leyton Orient at the start of March was a highlight and helped set the tone for a successful month that has got Chris Kinnear’s men dreaming of promotion yet again.
