Craig and Jayden Are The South's Shining Stars in December

It’s not been an easy season so far for either of these clubs - but as the year drew to a close, there were signs that’s all about to change.

That doesn’t mean 2022 wasn’t one to remember for Craig Edwards and for Cheshunt.

Winning promotion from the Isthmian League, they’re playing National League football for the first time and under their charismatic manager, they’re starting to settle in nicely.

The former boxer and his players have been packing a real punch of late and it may just be the month that saves their season.

After ending November five points from safety and without a win in five League games, they ended December level on points with Concord Rangers who were just above the drop-zone.

The month got off to an uninspiring start with a goalless draw with Weymouth, before wins over Dover, title favourites Ebbsfleet United and Concord.

After struggling to keep a clean sheet all season, they managed three inside a few weeks!

Boss Edwards says he hopes their big December might make teams respect them more and drop the ‘little old Cheshunt’ attitude.

Dulwich Hamlet’s first few months of the season were heart breaking for their fans.

Not because performances were so desperate, but because loyal manager Gavin Rose left Champion Hill after 13 years of service.

Things seem to be steady under Paul Barnes, the man who knew he had big boots to fill.

The south east Londoners turned their form around with an unbeaten month in December to boost their survival hopes – a run that meant they had only lost once in the National League South since October 29 before the turn of the year, making them one of the form sides in the division recently.

Key to that has been midfielder Jayden Clarke.

He scored both goals in a win against high-flying Chelmsford City and assisted another in their 2-1 success over Weymouth.

Instrumental from the middle of the park, he played in all-but six minutes of Dulwich’s games in December. He has been key in both boxes, fans say.

By the end of 2022, no side in the bottom half of the table had scored more than Hamlet and Clarke has helped keep the club’s fans content.

Well done to our two worthy winners!

Photo Credit (Left Image) - Alex Hardy UCFB