Award boost for high-flying Ravens

Collecting October’s Club of the Month Award won’t have done Coalville Town’s confidence any harm as they chase Leek Town at the top of the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League’s First Division South table.

Thanks to the run that won the performance accolade, Adams Steven’s squad are just five points behind the Blues in second spot with a game in hand. The Ravens were named last week alongside Premier Division leaders Chorley and First Division North Ramsbottom United as the Evo-Stik NPL’s latest monthly performance winners.

All three clubs receive inscribed certificates marking their achievements and a 4.5 litre bottle of Bells Whisky from representatives of the NPL and title sponsors Evo-Stik. League Representatives Mark and Alan Ogley, right, are pictured flanking Stevens and Coalville Town Chairman Glyn Rennocks at Saturday's presentation at Owen Street before their 1-1 draw with Sheffield FC.

The Ravens earned their division’s laurels for a record of six wins and a draw last month as they strengthened their hold on second spot and turned giant-killers in a national cup competition. The draw came away at Stratford in the FA Trophy before they went on to win the replay 3-1. They then knocked Stafford Rangers out of the competition with a 3-2 success in the First Qualifying Round.

Garry Flitcroft’s title-chasing Chorley won the Premier Division’s award on the back of their impressive results away from home. Apart from winning 1-0 away at Whitby Town in the FA Trophy, they recorded three wins on the spin after drawing at Stamford AFC at the start of October.

The Rams won the judges’ vote for transforming their league fortunes, their six wins and a draw lifting them clear of trouble and into mid-table security after a shaky start to the season for joint managers Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley and their squad.