Golden Glovesmen! Who Has The Safest Hands This Season?

While gaining promotion and surviving the drop remains the priority, each player will know whether or not they’re in with a chance of claiming a gong.

And, for goalkeepers, they know that these remaining handful of games provide the opportunity for them to either stretch their lead in the race for the golden glove or stake a late claim.

Defenders and goalkeepers pride themselves on keeping clean sheets, which is why we’re taking a look at which shot-stoppers top that exact list.

It’s no surprise to see that those competing at the top of the table dominate this particular stat, but a special mention to Halifax no.1 Sam Johnson who’s flying the flag for those in the bottom half.

So, here are the six goalkeepers that are realistically in with a chance of taking home the 2017/18 National League golden glove award.

Grant Smith – Boreham Wood (16 clean sheets)
Consistency is key if you’re going to have any chance of success and Boreham Wood have had just that with the outstanding Grant Smith.

He’s been an ever-present in between the sticks, playing in all 38 games so far and keeping 16 clean sheets in the process. The England C man sits in the driving seat for the award at the moment.

Mitch Walker – Dover Athletic (16 clean sheets)
He’s been with Dover since 2012 and Mitch Walker continues to impress. The 26-year-old is another man to play in every single National League game this season and his form hasn’t dropped.

It’s a rare sight to see Chris Kinnear’s team lose by more than a one-goal margin and Walker is a key reason for that, with his 16 clean sheets.

Sam Johnson – FC Halifax Town (14 clean sheets)
As we’ve already mentioned, those at the top end of the table dominate this list but Sam Johnson is proving that it’s not all doom and gloom down in the bottom half.

He’s kept an impressive 14 clean sheets in 36 games this season, missing just two. The Shaymen have also hit form at the right time, winning three of their last four to ease relegation fears.

Chris Dunn – Wrexham (13 clean sheets)
When you keep 20 clean sheets in 38 games, you’ve already given yourself the platform for success. While drawing games has been a bug-bearer for Wrexham, keeping clean sheets is their speciality. The lead the way with the most and have also conceded the least goals (28).

The goalkeeper role has changed over the season, but Chris Dunn is more than not the man in between the posts. With an impressive 13 clean sheets in 26 games, he’s got a one in two ratio of not conceding a goal.

Shwan Jalal – Macclesfield Town (13 clean sheets)
What a season it’s been so far for leaders Macclesfield and they’ll want to ensure they finish the job off.

Still going strong at the age of 34, Shwan Jalal has kept attackers at bay with 13 clean sheets in 32 games this season. Can he make up the ground in the golden glove race?

Scott Davies – Tranmere Rovers (13 clean sheets)
They’re 38 games into their promotion push and Tranmere stopper Scott Davies has been vital.

Despite missing a handful of games through injury, Davies has been in fine form in his 32 games and has also kept 13 clean sheets.

BY LUKE TURNER