NL Musings Vanarama National League 2022-23 Awards
Ah, end of season awards time.
I can’t lie, it crossed my mind as to whether I should publish my awards. It’s been an unbelievable year for National League football but myself and other neutral fans of the division have copped unnecessarily unpleasant responses at times this year and it sometimes makes you wonder if you should really bother.
But then, this what I enjoy doing. I love the National League. I love watching it unfold. I love watching the games, listening to the managers, connecting with fans, looking up and collating data. And I love sharing what I’ve found, heard or my own opinions.
So, screw it. Here’s my lot.
For obvious reasons, the top two dominate the player and team of the year awards. They were the best two teams to ever grace the division. Of course they dominate.
However, it’s also a little boring, so I’ve created an alternative Team of the Year, containing players from outside of the top two. It’s, erm, mostly filled with play-off players. Should I have done a third for bottom half teams? We’re going too far now.
There are also other yearly awards for best young player, goal, save and assist. And a return of the players I believe to be underrated and whose performances have surprised me.
I’ve also written up a full review of the National League season looking at all 24 clubs, including pre-season comments, their seasons, statistics, players and what happens next. You can read it via the link below:
https://rdnlmusings.blogspot.com/2023/05/vanarama-national-league-2022-23-club.html
Player of the Year – Paul Mullin
This was a shootout between three players: Paul Mullin, Macaulay Langstaff and Ruben Rodrigues. Why Mullin? Because he’s the guy that stepped up to win Wrexham the title. To score 38 league goals is an incredible achievement. From Boxing Day onwards, as the pressure increased on the title challengers, Mullin scored 24 goals in 24 matches. He stepped in the biggest National League match ever with a goal and two assists. He scored twice against Boreham Wood to seal the title. And perhaps most importantly, it’s Mullin that has epitomised everything Wrexham have been over the course of the National League campaign and the reason they have won automatic promotion back to the EFL.
Young Player of the Year – Ryan De Havilland
I set the criteria as anybody who started the season 21 years old or younger and was actually quite surprised at how few players had had serious minutes in that age bracket this season. I found myself with four serious candidates: JJ McKiernan, George Broadbent, James Vennings and my winner, Ryan De Havilland. The midfielder stepped into the Barnet starting XI ahead of time last season and has been a pivotal part of their rise from basket case to play-off members. The ex-Fulham youth is a monster of a player, a driving force from midfield that gets the team up the pitch and himself into the box. To produce 13 goal contributions in your first full season is mightily impressive and his continued presence in the side speaks volumes for the trust Dean Brennan has in him.
Goal of the Season: Nathan Ferguson
Team goals often don’t do it for me. There will be talk of a 40-pass move but 37 of those passes were made under no pressure in the defensive third and only the final three mean anything. This one was different. There is some pressure on the ball. First and foremost, every Wealdstone player is looking for a forward pass. Freckleton into Olomola to break Maidenhead’s midfield. Obiero to Kretzschmar down the right. The four passes between Allarakhia and Olomola. And this goal finishes with a cute Kretzschmar flick to Ferguson whose effort is ruthless. A brilliant, brilliant team goal during ten players touch the ball.
Assist of the Season: Jimmy Muitt
Sometimes brilliance and timing come together as one. Jimmy Muitt had been in and out all season and the return of Matt Briggs threatened to confine him to the bench. Muitt stepped up. There were two assists against Torquay, an assist against Maidenhead and then Altrincham. Dorking were 2-0 down and needed a win to officially secure their safety. They dragged themselves level and then Muitt produced a moment of brilliance, knocking the ball inside of his man, sprinting around him and delivering a perfect cross for Jason Prior to head home. Survival secured.
Save of the Season: Laurie Walker
A look at Barnet’s goal record on paper would have you questioning Laurie Walker but the Barnet keeper has been one of their players of the season, both as a shot stopper and personality. Early in the campaign, he was in net against a Solihull Moors side still in form. Ryan Barnett has driven forward and beaten three before a loose touch found Joe Sbarra. The diminutive goalscoring midfielder curled the ball back in the direction from whence it came, heading towards the bottom corner. Walker was shifting to his right before taking a step into the turf and leaping towards his left, getting fingertips on the effort to push it against the post.
Player That Took Me by Surprise – Tyler Cordner
This category probably speaks more about me than the player himself as I’m not watching every minute of every players career. Tyler Cordner. Maybe it’s the teams he has been a part of – none have finished higher than 22nd before this season. Maybe it’s just what I’ve been able to watch with my own eyes – I’ve always found him to be slow and cumbersome. Not this season. Cordner has been trusted to lead the Aldershot defence and done so superbly. He is using the size to much better effect, dominating aerially and in ground duels. His passing range is exceptional and he’s often the man starting attacks for the Shots. And he’s even got a blistering long-range strike in him, along with being a threat from set-pieces. These qualities were highlighted for England C, a game in which he was awarded Man of the Match.
Most Underrated Player – Danny Whitehall
Danny Whitehall turned up at this level a couple of years ago for Maidenhead United and bagged 13 goals in just shy of 24 90’s. And he returned to the level last season to score 11 in 22.2 90’s after a tough spell up in Scotland. Now he has the full trust of his manager and it shows. Whitehall is one of the most intelligent, quick-thinking and technical forwards in the division. He can play up top alone or just off the front. He’s competent at linking play, can score and deliver from set-pieces and has had his own Goal of the Season competition going on with a superb touch and volley and halfway line strike amongst them. The type of player you turn up to watch with the belief you might leave having see something memorable.
Team of the Season
GK: Nathan Ashmore
**Insert Thanos “Inevitable” GIF**
Nathan Ashmore is here again. Boreham Wood have conceded 40 goals this season. They’ve had to constantly chop and change their defence amid injuries and new signings yet Ashmore continues to do what he does best – stop shots, claim crosses and wind up the opposition.
RB: Aaron Nemane
Aaron Nemane slowly grew into his role at Notts last season and has become a figure consistency this year, his raw speed, willingness to carry and ability to make the right decision in the final third a huge part of why Notts have scored so many goals.
RCB: Ben Tozer
Consistency has been somewhat hard to come by in the Wrexham back line this season and Ben Tozer’s leadership and experience has become ever-more important. Has started every league match and proven he’s more than just a long throw.
LCB: Kyle Cameron
Another leader, Notts County captain Kyle Cameron has had arguably his best season to date. His role at centre-back is unique for this level, challenged with winning his battles but also stepping out of defence, progressing play and overlapping and he’s taken on those roles expertly.
LB: Adam Chicksen
Adam Chicksen had never started more than 29 league games before this season. He had scored four league goals in his career. He finishes this having started 44 and scored ten. From competent and solid full-back to rampaging, creative wing-back. An impressive transformation.
RCM: Rohan Ince
The sole outfielder not playing for Notts County or Wrexham. I’m a huge fan of Rohan Ince and I think he has been exceptional again this season. The giant midfielder has bossed things in the middle of the park for a Woking side that have spent all season challenging for third.
LCM: Matty Palmer
An argument to say Palmer is Notts’ most important player? Technically gifted. Tactically intelligent. Highly experienced. And just never seems to give the ball away. While his midfield partner has changed regularly, Palmer has always remained and dictated.
RAM: Ruben Rodrigues
Always in control, always probing, always in space and never hides. Tops the chart for smart passes and finishes up with over 30 goal contributions from attacking midfield. Ruben Rodrigues has become one of the finest players to grace this level.
LAM: Elliott Lee
I joked in the summer that Lee wouldn’t even start matches for Wrexham. Jordan Davies’ injury woes opened the door and the diminutive attacker hasn’t looked back, running the show most weeks with his effortless ball control, creativity, delivery and flair for the spectacular.
ST: Paul Mullin
See above.
ST: Macaulay Langstaff
Langstaff joined Notts County from National League North title winners Gateshead on the back of his best season ever and went and improved on that. To score 41 goals in a league campaign is surreal, especially when you haven’t taken a single penalty. No ego, selfless with his work rate and even laid on ten for team-mates too. A phenomenal season.
Team of the Season (excluding the top two)
GK: Nathan Ashmore
See above.
RB: Jeff King
His form may have tailed off after Christmas but it shouldn’t be forgotten that Jeff King was one of the standout players in the league beforehand. His numbers from right-back will put most attackers to shame and his infectious enthusiasm is a key component for a talented Spireites side.
RCB: Shaun Hobson
Southend United have been one of the strongest defensive units in the league and Hobson has more than played his part. Often the oldest member of the Blues’ back three, the 24-year-old’s mental and physical growth has been an important asset for Kevin Maher.
LCB: Omar Sowumni
Bromley earned their play-off place thanks to an excellent final two-thirds of the season but Omar Sowumni has been consistent all the way through, a dominant centre-back growing into a leader behind his youthful midfield.
LB: Femi Ilesanmi
The Boreham Wood defence has been ever-changing this season with the exception of Ilesanmi, who has proven ever-reliable both at centre-back and wing-back. The 32-year-old has been an important figure on and off the pitch for Luke Garrard.
RCM: Rohan Ince
See above.
LCM: Harry Pritchard
One of the signings of the season. Harry Pritchard has played nearly every minute in a very positive campaign for Barnet. The winger-turned-central-midfielder is energetic, tenacious and sets the tone for a high-energy side. Has chipped in with a number of important goals too.
RAM: Liam Mandeville
Chesterfield have found consistency hard to come by at times and Paul Cook will be thankful to Liam Mandeville for stepping up in that regard. A selfless, creative attacking midfielder who has developed a fine relationship with his team-mates and had his best campaign yet.
LAM: Andrew Dallas
It’s underrated just how good of a campaign Dallas had spanning across both Solihull Moors and Chesterfield. The Scotsman finished the campaign with 19 league goals despite rarely playing as an out-and-out striker and laid on another 15 for team-mates.
ST: Nicke Kabamba
One of many non-league forwards that broke into the EFL but struggled to find his place. Now 30, Kabamba no doubt just wanted to play and thrive and he has done just that, starting 41 games, scoring 19 goals, assisting seven and leading the line superbly for over-achieving Barnet.
ST: Inih Effiong
There’s a version of Inih Effiong that is frustrating and a version that is capable of rag dolling his opposition and scoring from all angles. We’ve seen far more of the latter this year. Over spells with Aldershot Town and Dagenham and Redbridge, he has scored 23 goals and enjoyed being the main man again.
Comments
Post a Comment