Ridgeons League Player and Select Team of the Season
DOUBLE-WINNING Needham Market skipper Rhys Barber wins my vote as the Ridgeons League Player of the season.
After much deliberation I finally decided to award the vote to Rhys, who has been a model of consistency at the heart of the Marketmen’s defence.
He led Needham Market to the Ridgeons League Premier Division title and also the Ridgeons League Cup, as well as reaching the LB Group Suffolk Premier Cup final and the quarter-finals of the FA Vase.
The award was based on all the matches – more than 50 in total – involving Ridgeons League Premier Division sides that I watched during the course of the campaign.
Rhys pipped the Kirkley & Pakefield strikeforce duo of Russell Stock and Nathan Stone and Stanway Rovers’ hot-shot Sam Newson to land the award.
Regular readers of my postings will not be surprised to learn that my Young Player of the Season award goes to Woodbridge Town’s 19-year-old striker Josh Mayhew.
After missing the start of the season after dislocating his knee 15 months previously, Josh showed his pedigree by notching three hat-tricks, although the first one was later scrubbed from the records due to Woodbridge fielding ineligible players in the 5-1 win away to Felixstowe & Walton United.
Despite missing the first two months of the season Josh scored 17 goals for Woodbridge, including the winner at then leaders CRC.
Ridgeons League Select Team of the Season
Arron Benstead (Hadleigh Utd) – Arron has been outstanding for Hadleigh United all season. He produced save after save to keep his side in matches throughout the campaign – or prevent even heavier defeats.
Tarren Grint (Kirkley & Pakefield) – The young full back greatly impressed me as he has established himself in the Kirkley team this season. He is a good footballer who is very mobile and loves to get forward.
David Head (Leiston) – Showed as the season went on that he has fully recovered from the injury he suffered the previous season. A commanding centre back who is equally strong in the air and on the ground.
Rhys Barber (Needham Market) – Has played consistently well each time I have seen him. Equally effective in both penalty areas and led by example, often urging his side on by bringing the ball out of defence to set attacks in motion.
Kevin Horlock (Needham Market) – Still a class act, who possesses a sweet left foot. Rarely wastes a pass and a great team player. If only he had been available for the FA Vase tie against Wroxham.
Nathan Stone (Kirkley & Pakefield) – His bustling, all-action style means defenders never have a moment’s peace. He is always liable to create or score a goal.
Ryan Foster (Mildenhall) – Perhaps a surprise choice in the middle of the park, but he greatly impressed me when I saw him. A player able to influence matches despite his small stature.
Stuart Boardley (Leiston) – A creative player who makes things tick in the middle of the park. He possesses a great dead ball delivery and a venomous shot too.
Chris Henderson (Kirkley & Pakefield) – The tricky winger certainly knows his way to goal and his pace and ability make him hard for defenders to contain. No surprise when Bury Town came calling towards the end of the season.
Russell Stock (Kirkley & Pakefield) – Has proved to be a tremendous acquisition from neighbours Lowestoft. A superb hold-up player, good in the air and on the deck – gets his fair share of goals too.
Sam Newson (Stanway Rovers) – Second top scorer in the league last season, Sam could not stop scoring before Christmas. Although he was not so prolific thereafter, he was still streets ahead in the goalscoring charts this term.
Substitutes (from): Olly Willis (Dereham Town), Shane Wardley (Leiston), Joe Jefford (Kirkley & Pakefield), Jamie Thurlbourne (Mildenhall), Stuart Ainsley (Felixstowe & Walton Utd), Lee McGlone (Leiston), Robbie Mason (Ely City).
posted on 15 May 2010 11:56 byNick Garnham
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