Having just brought the curtain down on what was a successful first season in the Robson Taylor, Chippenham League Premier division, Potterne held the their presentation evening at the weekend with 21-year-old defender Matthew Hale picking up two awards as he was recognised by both his fellow players and Potterne’s management duo of Peter Huntley and Lee Sanders.
Potterne who netted 108 goals in their first season were thankful to their strike force for their efforts in front of goal but it was Hale who was inspirational at the back with his efforts leading to him picking up both the Players’ player of the season accolade along with the managers’ player of the season award. Potterne’s top goalscorer of the season award went to Myles Hickton and Adam Heath who both scored 17 goals apiece which might seem a poor return but Hickton who started the season at Lavington (Sunday) netted his goals from 13 games while Heath’s 17 goals came in just 10 games.
For 21-year-old Hickton it was the second successive season that he topped the villagers goal scoring charts after hitting 31 league goals last term as Potterne finished as division one runners up, Hickton may even have to return to Lavington should they hold an awards night as the prolific hit man who left them back in November also finished as their top scorer.
Former Cirencester, Andover and Salisbury City striker Heath who now plays for Corsham Town only started playing at the start of the year and only joined Hickton as top scorer following a five goal burst against Dog & Fox Ashley in the final game of the season, so if Heath, Hickton and fellow striker Matt Minnis are together next season then Potterne should have a formidable front line that could help them into the top three. The honour of most improved player of the season went to Ben House, the 21-year-old midfielder had a great season scoring 11 goals and both managers Huntley and Sanders believe that House can get better so they are hoping that he will put pen to paper as soon as possible as they look to sign him on for next season.
Clubman of the year is always a hard call but the award went to Utility player and club statistician Jamie Bayes who over the years has been a dependable performer for the tangerine and whites whether it is playing in defence or attack and is currently at number three on the clubs all time top goal scorers chart, behind Myles Hickton and Jonathan Emm.
Although a little surprised, Bayes was the deserved winner of the award, which was a acknowledgment of all his efforts for the club not just for this season but over many years.
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