Second set of laurels for leaders

Named on Sunday as the first monthly winners of 2016, the trio can look forward to being recognised for their success when they are crowned at upcoming fixtures.

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.

Apart from a shock defeat for the First Division South's runaway leaders at home to Kidgsrove Athletic, Rangers secured four more wins to stretch their lead at the top of the table to a whopping 17 points, three of the victories coming against play-off chasers Leek Town, Romulus and Lincoln United.

After collecting September's accolade, Neil Kitching's side will be the first of the trio to be honoured on Saturday 6 February when EVO-STIK NPL director Andrew Wain will be at Marston Road to make the presentation before they kick off against Newcastle Town.

Top flight leaders Blyth Spartans were setting the pace back in August when they collected one of the inaugural awards of the season. They were in red-hot form again to win their second, four consecutive victories helping them climb eight points clear at the top, the results including a 2-1 home win over title rivals Salford City and a win by the same scoreline at promotion-chasing Nantwich Town.

EVO-STIK NPL representative Mark Ogley will make the presentation to Tom Wade's side before they kick off against Ramsbottom United at Croft Park on Saturday 13 February

Neil Parsley and his play-off chasers narrowly missed out on winning December's laurels in First Division North to Ossett Albion. Five consecutive wins in January helped them go one better, the successes including last Saturday's emphatic 5-0 win at second-placed Northwich Victoria.

Like Spartans, they will be honoured on Saturday 13 February, EVO-STIK NPL secretary Angie Firth making the presentation on the pitch at Throstle Nest before they take on Lancaster City.

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