Team Of New Year's Day: The National League South

Not least because there were no fewer than 37 goals scored as 2018 started with a bang.

Because of the volume of balls hitting back of nets, we’ve even had to consign a couple of two-goal forwards to the subs’ bench!

It was a good day for the side top of the league - and a very good day for the team at the bottom!

Both Whitehawk and Dartford have two players each in the starting XI as they both won 4-1 on New Year’s Day.

If you aren’t familiar with our process, we latch on to reporters, managers and club officials at grounds to make sure the sides we pick are a fair reflection of the day’s action.

Here’s what we have come up with following yesterday’s high-scoring games across the division.

Goalkeeper: Marcus Beauchamp (Hungerford Town)
The Crusaders’ form is on the up and after nine points collected from a possible 12, they’ve pulled clear. Marcus Beauchamp was excellent on Monday.

Defender: Tom Cadman (Whitehawk)
That first win was emphatic and Cadman as well as his backline performance brilliantly at Eastbourne. Can they build on it?

Defender: Ben Gerring (Truro City)
A goal and another great display has Truro City right back in the hunt. Gerring was impressive as the White Tigers beat Poole again.

Defender: Joe Ellul (Braintree Town)
The Iron’s overwhelming MOTM, they have shown great spirit to claw their way back into the Essex derby not once but twice inside a week.

Defender: Josh Casey (Hampton & RB)
The Beavers run goes on. Some would have had them down for a first defeat since August at Wealdstone but there was no chance of that. Casey led by example.

Midfielder: Chris Knowles (Gloucester City)
Their 3-0 win at Oxford City was huge. The Tigers’ bite came in the form of Chris Knowles, who covered every blade of 3G. A gal too, it was a big first win for Marc Richards.

Midfield: Wes Fogden (Havant & W)
Outstanding once again as Havant really look to be coming on strong. You’ll struggle to find a club with better away form anywhere than Lee Bradbury’s boys.

Midfielder: Ryan Hayes (Dartford)
Another brilliant performance from the Darts’ long serving star. Hayes has already won promotion twice with the club and he’s looking good for another.

Striker: Gold Omotayo (Whitehawk)
His name is a headline writers’ dream and he seems to be a defender’s worst nightmare. His brace helped the Hawks get a monkey off their back at last.

Striker: Elliott Charles (Hampton & RB)
Three goals inside 15 minutes at Wealdstone pretty much makes Charles the easiest pick in the history of any Team of the Day. Clinical and composed.

Striker: Alfie Pavey (Dartford)
He seems to love creating havoc against Welling United, and the Dartford supporters love to see him do it! Two goals on Monday added to his Boxing Day winner at Park View Road.

Substitutes:
Ismail Yakubu (St Albans City)
Matt Tubbs (Havant & W)
Femi Akinwande (Concord Rangers)
Sam Higgins (East Thurrock)
Ethan Moore (Gloucester City)