The 2017-18 Season Review: Looking Back To September

Vanarama National League:

Surprise names sat near the top at the end of September - it summed the season up well.

Dover Athletic ended the month on top with seven wins already, with Dagenham close behind Chris Kinnear’s side. Sutton United were lurking with intent in third spot.

Wrexham made a strong start but they were starting to realise an issue which would haunt them later in the season. Two excellent wins this month against Bromley and Tranmere were watered down by three draws.

Maidstone United’s Jay Saunders was named Manager of the Month after his side’s great form saw them surge up the table - and although they didn’t know it at the time, one of the best results of the season was earned.

The Stones rolled Macclesfield Town over 4-1 at Moss Rose. It would be one of only a few bad days at the office for John Askey’s side.

Trouble for Torquay United saw them part company with manager Kevin Nicholson. They ended September winless with just four points to their name. Gary Owers would eventually take over.

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Varanama National League South:

East Thurrock United made early strides as Essex dominated the league table

Bognor`s good August was followed by a stuttering September, although the Rocks enjoyed two good FA Cup wins.

Hungerford`s good form under interim bosses Ian Herring and Jon Boardman sees the pair offered the roles on a permanent basis.

Gary Owers quit Bath to take over at Torquay United and former player Jerry Gill was appointed in his place.

Lee Hodges won September`s manager of the month after a fine run of form with Cornish Truro City.

Braintree may have been flying high in the league, but they bowed out of the FA Cup at Brackley Town as the month came to a close.

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Vanarama National League North:

There was an early potential six-pointer as promotion chasers Harrogate Town and Salford City met at the CNG Stadium on September 5, with Bernard Morley and Anthony Johnson’s side gaining an important 2-1 win with Lois Maynard scoring the decisive goal.

Southport started the month with victory as they kept up near the top, however they would then lose their next four games.

Two of the new sides in the league in Blyth Spartans and Spennymoor Town, were showing they were aiming high as both picked up impressive wins and were placing themselves with a chance of a play-off place, with them in fourth and fifth position at the end of September.

York City would start and end the month with defeats against Chorley and Harrogate Town, this led to Gary Mills leaving the club.

With all sides in the league playing at least twelve games there was just an eight-point gap between the final relegation place and seventh.