New Year honours for trio!

Named at lunchtime as December's winners of the monthly performance awards, the trio can look forward to toasting their success after the festive period ends when they are crowned at upcoming fixtures in January.

Handed out every month, the performance honours are sponsored by Bostik Ltd, parent company of the Northern Premier League's title sponsors EVO-STIK, to recognise and reward the top performers in the league's three divisions.

As well as collecting inscribed glass trophies to mark their achievements from representatives of the sponsors and the EVO-STIK NPL, each club will also be presented with a 4.5 litre bottle of Bells Whiskey.

After being described last month as one of the EVO-STIK NPL's 'Cinderella' clubs when it comes to collecting the accolades, Ossett Albion are now only the second club to win for a second time this season.

Run close for the division's laurels by Farsley Celtic who won all three of their outings, the Unicorns will be honoured by EVO-STIK NPL vice president and Respect manager Phil Bradley before kicking off against Lancaster City at their Our Physio Stadium on Saturday 16 January.

Richard Tracey's side were in impressive form in December, a 3-2 Christmas Monday derby win at Ossett Town in their last outing of the year among four straight wins away from home in the league.

Albion also reached the semi-finals of the West Riding County Cup although they did go out of the Integro Doodson Sport Cup at the start of the month after losing 2-0 at Scarborough Athletic, a result they made amends for two weeks later when they won 2-1 at Queensgate in the league.

First Division South winners Lincoln United will also be honoured on Saturday 16 January when EVO-STIK NPL secretary Angie Firth and a representative of the sponsors head to before they kick off against Basford United.

To win their first award of the campaign, Dave Frecklington's side recorded three straight wins, two of the victories coming away from home. They were also pushed hard for the accolade by leaders Stafford Rangers, winners of September's honours.

With the same record, the competition's judging panel was forced to take into account the disciplinary records of the clubs which even then only slightly favoured the Whites.

In the EVO-STIK NPL's top flight, Ashton United recorded three straight wins in the league and wrote national headlines in the FA Trophy, beating Gainsborough Trinity 3-1 in a third qualifying round replay before suffering heartbreak at Macclesfield Town.

After leading 2-0 at half-time in the first round at the Moss Rose when the game was abandoned in torrential rain, they eventually lost 4-0 to the Stags when the tie was finally played at the third attempt at Moss Rose.

The Robins will be the first of the clubs to be honoured on Tuesday 12 January when EVO-STIK NPL vice president and Respect manager Bradley will be at Hurst Cross to make the presentation before kick-off against Ramsbottom United.

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