Magpies head the honours queue

Garry Flitcroft’s title-chasing Chorley will be the first of October's Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Club of the Month winners to be honoured when they return to Premier Division duty on Tuesday night.

The Magpies were named on Friday as the top flight’s winners with Ramsbottom United and Coalville Town taking the First Division North and South performance laurels. All three winners receive an inscribed certificate to mark their achievement and a 4.5 litre bottle of Bells Whisky from representatives of league and title sponsors Evo-Stik.

Chorley - flying the Evo-Stik NPL’s flag away to Ryman North Soham Town Rangers in the FA Trophy’s Second Qualifying Round on Saturday - host Matlock Town at Victory Park on Bonfire Night and will be presented with their award by League Vice-Chairman and Matlock Chief Executive Keith Brown before kick-off.

With so many sides on winning runs and currently challenging in the title race, the Magpies came out on top on the back of their impressive results away from home.

Apart from winning 1-0 away at Premier Division rivals Whitby Town in the FA Trophy’s First Qualifying Round, Flitcroft’s side started October by drawing 1-1 at Stamford before going on to record three wins on the spin, 1-0 at Nantwich, 4-1 at Worksop last Saturday and most recently, Tuesday’s 5-0 success at Trafford.

Ramsbottom United and Coalville are due to collect their awards next weekend when both clubs are at home in league action.

League Representative Mark Ogley is due to present the Ravens with their First Division South accolade on Saturday before they kick off against Sheffield FC.

Coalville, like Chorley, were second in their division when October's announcement was made after a month that saw them record six wins and a draw. The draw came away at Stratford in the FA Trophy before they went on to win the replay 3-1 and subsequently knock Stafford Rangers out of the competition with a 3-2 success in the First Qualifying Round.

Ramsbottom United will collect the First Division North honour from League Secretary Angie Firth before kicking off against New Mills. United won the judges’ vote for transforming their league fortunes last month, their six wins and a draw lifting them clear of trouble and into the midtable comfort zone to put a tricky start to the campaign behind them.

In the process, Rammy scored 26 goals and like October's other winners, their run included wins in the FA Trophy, a 2-1 victory away at First North rivals Warrington Town followed by a 7-2 rout of top flight Worksop Town at the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium.