Now that August is over, it is time to reflect and review how my local non-league sides have been performing in the first month of the new season, and to take a look at where they currently sit in the table.
Bury Town
Games Played: 3
Points: 3
Position: 13th out of 20 (Isthmian North - Step 4)
Top Scorer: Cemal Ramadan (2)
Bury have had a poor start based on their expectations for this season, having performed well last season and in the pre-season friendlies. For a team aiming for promotion, 3 points from a possible 9 will not be good enough. On a positive note, I do not expect the teams at the top to necessarily still be there at the end of the season, with the exception of Maldon & Tiptree, so I hope that this poor start is just a blip and that they can catch-up. Hoping for a better September.
Thetford Town
Games Played: 5
Points: 4
Position: 16th out of 20 (TNL Prem - Step 5)
Top Scorers: Elliot Smith (3), Artur Visocanskis (2)
I think Thetford can be overall pleased with their August despite losing 3 games. They had a really difficult run of fixtures, playing some big teams away (Wroxham & Gorleston) and took their points where it counted. The team have been playing better than last season and they also currently have a game in hand. I hope they can build on their performances and get more points under their belts in September.
Lakenheath
Games Played: 6
Points: 5
Position: 14th out of 20 (TNL Prem - Step 5)
Top Scorers: Shaun Avis (5), Tom Thulborn (2)
A mixed start to season for newly promoted Lakenheath, some good performances against Thetford Town and March, but were also on the receiving end of a few heavy defeats. Got a great point and clean sheet in the last game again Norwich United that I hope they can build on from, but some tricky fixtures against Walsham & Gorleston coming up.
Diss Town
Games Played: 6
Points: 9
Position: 5th out of 16 (TNL D1 North - Step 6)
Top Scorers: Ryan Gibbs (6), James Bemrose (5)
Another mixed start to the season, flew out of the traps winning the first two games, but have since suffered three losses. The strike-force of Bemrose & Gibbs looks formidable and will certainly help Diss mount a promotion challenge, but there are some concerns over the management team leaving so early on.
Mundford
Games Played: 5
Points: 4
Position: 11th out of 16 (Anglian Comb Prem - Step 7)
Top Scorers: Oli Standley (4), Jim Walters (2)
Has been a difficult start for Mundford, which is to be expected as they have had to rebuild losing most of their key players recently. Importantly though, managed to keep striker Standley, and hopefully the new squad will begin to gel and results will follow.
Brandon Town
Games Played: 4
Points: 7
Position: 7th out of 16 (Anglian Comb D1 - Step 8)
Top Scorers: Kieran Bruce (3), James Buckmaster (2)
Has been a positive start for newly promoted Brandon, and with a game in hand they could get close to the top of the table if they win it. Performances have in general been good with big wins against Martham & Stalham. Hopefully, they can put in more performances like these in September, but a lot of tough away fixtures coming up.
Thetford Rovers
Games Played: 4
Points: 5
Position: 12th out of 16 (Anglian Comb D1 - Step 8)
Top Scorer: James Dean (2)
A slow start but last game they got an impressive win against top of the table Sprowston. New manager Bruno Tavares has built a strong squad, including some ex-Thetford Town players such as Telmo Rocha and Liam Hemmings. As Bruno says, trust the process, some positive signs and I think they will grow into the season. They also have a game in hand.
Stanton
Games Played: 3
Points: 7
Position: 1st out of 11 (SIL D1 - Step 8)
Top Scorer: Karl Tarpley (5)
Great positive start by Standon, currently sitting top of the table, and thus far undefeated. Main man Karl Tarpley also currently top scorer in division. Due to low division numbers, currently a small gap to the next game, hope they can maintain their performance levels for the next run of fixtures.
Feltwell United
Games Played: 2
Points: 4
Position: 2nd out of 12 (C&SN D1 - Step 12)
Top Scorer: Nathan Wright (2)
Season really too early to comment as only two games played, but currently sit 2nd and are undefeated, so a positive early start.
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