More Honours For The Stones As Simpson Sweeps Up Too!

Maidstone United, you’ve done everyone proud - so needless to say there’s just no way they could be ignored when it comes to first awards of the year.

The FA Cup bravehearts of course sent Stevenage and then - incredibly - Ipswich Town packing in their own backyard.

Trying to pick one individual out when there’s heroes everywhere you look is never easy, but Sam Corne has stood out for the panel thanks to his goalscoring feats and marvelous midfield displays.

He takes the Player of the Month accolade after being on the pitch for every minute of every game for Maidstone in January, including their two sensational FA Cup giant killings where he proved to be the match winner on both occasions.

They’ve had a good month in the league, too and the classy midfielder contributed to a goal in some way in all five of their games.

Scoring as well against Tonbridge, he notched assists against Dartford and Havant & Waterlooville. They’re still fighting on both fronts and we can’t wait to see what their historic season brings.

The rest of the division’s sides were sitting back in awe as the Stones did their headline hogging business - but some of the teams put their foot down while they were otherwise occupied.

Chelmsford City were one of them, and Robbie Simpson saw his team crank up the heat on the others sitting inside the top seven. They had a near perfect month, winning four from five in the league after sending old foes Braintree packing - and promotion rivals Worthing, too.

They also won against Welling United and at Hampton & RB, who are strong at home, before a late draw with Weston-super-Mare, a frustrating way to end a great first month of 2024.

Only one team conceded less than Chelmsford in January – and they currently have the best defensive record in the division.

The Manager of the Month has the Clarets dreaming and while all the talk is about the others, Chelmsford look well-placed to continue their charge as we approach the business end of the season.