The 2017-18 Season Review: Looking Back On December

Here's what happened across the divisions in December.

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Vanarama National League:

Macclesfield Town ended 2017 on top of the table and wondering quite what the New Year had to offer.

Four wins from five matches included a victory on in the final game on the year which would go a long way. They beat Sutton United 1-0 with ten min for half an hour after keeper Shwan Jalal was red carded.

It created a six-point cushion, with Aldershot breathing down their necks.

Tranmere were starting to look like the team Micky Mellon knew they could be.

Four wins from four in December gave the fans real hope for 2018. Rovers sent Torquay, Sutton, Guiseley and AFC Fylde packing - scoring 14 goals in the process.

There was just one managerial change this month.

Richard Hill’s second spell in charge at Eastleigh was over, he moved upstairs at the Silverlake while assistant Andy Hessenthaler took charge.

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Vanarama National League South:

Weston-super-Mare`s Marc McGregor and Welling`s Joe Healy were rewarded with November`s manager and player awards, while leaders Dartford make a shrewd signing in Ebbsfleet striker Danny Mills arriving on loan for the rest of the season.

Forest Green Rovers signed Weston`s top scorer Dayle Grubb for an undisclosed fee.

Leaders Dartford were beaten at struggling Hungerford as the weather begins to hit the fixture lists around the country.

Bath fans were not exactly being blown away by goalmouth action as their team are held three successive Twerton Park goalless draws – the latest against struggling Bognor.

Oxford City bowed out of the FA Cup 3-2 at NottsCounty to end the division`s interest in the competition.

Poole won at home for the first time this season as Weston are beaten 3-1 at Tatnam.

Dartford headed into 2018 holding a two-point lead at the top of the table following a Boxing Day derby win at Welling.

Behind them, Havant, Chelmsford, Braintree and Hampton were all level on 40 points.

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Vanarama National League North:

The end of 2017 saw promotion favourites Salford City lose twice and go four games without a win.

This offered hope for the teams below them going for promotion, though they still had a six-point gap.

Surprise play-off packages Bradford Park Avenue kept up their impressive start to the season and with over half their matches played they were fifth in the table.

On Boxing Day Harrogate Town, Brackley Town, Kidderminster Harriers and Blyth Spartans all dropped points, with Spennymoor Town doing the double over their North-East neighbours in the matter of six days.

So, the year finished with Salford City top, with Harrogate Town and Brackley Town level on points in second and third.
While Southport and Nuneaton were occupying two of the bottom three spaces, there was only a 12-point gap between the second bottom placed side and seventh.