GOALS win games as well as prizes – but the Morrant Golden Boot NGA can also be the springboard to something quite special.
John Mills’ 56 goals for Didcot Town didn’t exactly get him a move higher up the Pyramid but he has taken a step back to go forward in his career.
When Hereford came calling last summer he had the chance to become a club icon. Yes, he was playing a level lower but with a Midland League winners’ medal around his neck and an FA Vase final to come it’s fair to say last season’s top scorer has struck it rich by winning the golden boot.
Bursting
The question of course is who will take this year’s crown? This is an award determined by facts and stats rather than a vote but the runners and riders make for interesting reading.
With more games played outside the National League, our worthy winner often comes from the lower reaches. If Mills got a good move, many are expecting Winchester City‘s Warren Bentley to get one many levels up.
The PE teacher has netted 55 in all Evo-Stik League Southern and FA?competitions and will take some stopping in the final knockings if he isn’t going to grab our crown. The Southern League‘s second highest scorer, Lewis Powell of Taunton, is some way back with 34.
The Ryman League is full to bursting with onion baggers. Out of all three leagues before last weekend, Sam Higgins of East Thurrock United – just – led the way.
He scored 41 in all competitions, but hot on his heels is Jason Hallett of Cheshunt with 37. Impressively, 35 of his Ryman North goals have come from open play.
In Ryman South, Tom Tolfrey of Dorking Wanderers had 36 also – but Ian Draycott, the Folkestone Invicta forward, beats that with 38.
There’s a 40 plus-goal hero in the Evo-Stik NPL North too as Warrington’s Ciaran Kilheeney has cut everyone apart in their title triumph.
Romulus‘ Luke Keen with 28 leads the way in the South, while the Premier’s leading light is veteran Stourbridge striker Karl Hawley with 30.
Rocket
Nobody has run away with it in the National League North. Boston United‘s Dayle Southwell had 21 heading into last weekend, while Bishop’s Stortford’s Elliott Buchanan’s four-goal haul against Margate last week saw his total rocket to 27 in the South.
Last Tuesday night may have seen a title sealed – the National League’s top scorer. OK, Grimsby lost out to Cheltenham on the title but their forward Padraig Amond’s fine hat-trick against Woking saw him hit the 30-goal mark with another six in other competitions. He led Robins’ Dan Holman going into the weekend’s programme.
NGA 2015-16 list of awards
Sport Shield Player of the Year
Sportsbeat Young Player of the Year
FieldTurf Manager of the Year
Reusch Goalkeeper of the Year
Morrant Golden Boot
SK Kits Step 3 & 4 Player of the Year
Red Insure Team of the Year
Acerbis Cup Run of the Year
The Non-League Paper Lifetime Achievement
Huck Nets Goal of the Season
William Hill Fan of the Year
The Football Foundation Community Club of the Year
The PFA Fair Play Award
SCL Unsung Hero
How to vote
Please email [email protected] to cast your vote or use #NGAvotes on twitter
