Manager of the Month
Alan Dowson – Hampton & Richmond Borough
It has been another exciting month in the Vanarama National League South, with very little breathing space between the top sides in the division.
But Hampton & Richmond Borough extended their unbeaten run to 17 matches, stretching back to August.
Dowson had been unfortunate not to claim the award in previous months, but wins against Weston Super Mare and East Thurrock United earn the Manager the prize for December.
With few points separating the many sides challenging for the top seven places, the Vanarama National League South will make for excellent viewing in 2018.
Player of the Month
Rob Sinclair – Oxford City
Oxford City’s excellent FA Cup run ended in December after an agonising last minute defeat away at Notts County.
Many thought the way in which they conceded and the timing may well derail their efforts to move out of the relegation zone of the Vanarama National League South.
This was not to be the case as – in the rest of December – Sinclair led from the front, utilising his experience to galvanise the rest of the players and forming a good partnership with frontman Matt Paterson.
By the end of the month, City had strung together an unbeaten run of four matches, with three of them against the division’s fancied front runners for promotion.
Previously at Forest Green Rovers and part of their squad which saw them promoted to the EFL at the end of last season, he has committed himself wholeheartedly to helping his new club remain in a very competitive division.
