September's Sky Bet EFL League Two Manager & Player of the Month Award Nominations
For the second month running, Lincoln City have been nominated in both the Player and Manager of the Month Awards, as September's nominations are revealed.
Danny Cowley, who was named August's Manager of the Month, has lead the Imps to the top of Sky Bet EFL League Two, while centre-half Jason Shackell is also up for the respective Player of the Month Award.
Cowley is up against Dino Maamria of Stevenage, who has seen his side move up to fourth in the table, Ryan Lowe of Bury and Mike Flynn at Newport County, who has guided his team into second place in the table, three points behind Cowley’s Lincoln.
Jason Shackell has been vital for Lincoln, only conceding three goals in five matches, while chipping in with a couple of goals too.
The defender is up against Luke Norris of Colchester United, Oldham’s Sam Surridge and Exeter’s Pierce Sweeney, all amongst the goals this month.
The winners of each award will be announced at 0600 BST on Friday 5 October and we will have exclusive video interviews with all the winners - so make such you come back to Sporting Life on Friday!
Sky Bet EFL League Two September nominees
Manager of the Month
Danny Cowley (Lincoln City)
Another month, another nomination for last month’s winner Cowley whose Lincoln City side opened up a three-point gap at the head of Sky Bet League Two winning four of their five games. Most impressive among them was a comfortable 3-0 win at then second-placed Exeter.
Mike Flynn (Newport County)
Built on impeccable away form with wins at Port Vale, Oldham Athletic and Tranmere Rovers, Flynn guided the Exiles into second place with 12 points from a possible 15. The belief he has instilled was evident in a 4-2 win over Cambridge, from 2-0 down.
Ryan Lowe (Bury)
If last season was a managerial baptism of fire for Lowe fighting relegation, a first pre-season of preparation demonstrated his aptitude for the job. Having settled his line-up, four wins from five games followed in September.
Dino Maamria (Stevenage)
Ever so quietly, Stevenage moved into the promotion picture under Maamria’s shrewd guidance. Ten points from five games did the trick, as did a tight defence which underpinned 1-0 victories over Macclesfield Town, Grimsby Town and Carlisle United.
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Player of the Month
Luke Norris (Colchester United) – Striker
Sheer hard work was the foundation of a stunning September for Norris with five goals and two assists in five games. His goals came in all shapes and sizes, including a 30-yard piledriver of a free-kick in the win at Cheltenham Town.
Jason Shackell (Lincoln City) – Defender
An astute summer signing by Danny Cowley, Shackell has added strength and experience to a Lincoln defence which conceded just three goals in five matches. The bonus was his late winners against Macclesfield and MK Dons.
Sam Surridge (Oldham Athletic) – Striker
The 20-year-old Bournemouth loanee scored five goals in four games. A strong runner who loves to take on defenders, his power in the air brought two headed goals, including a stooping effort inches off the ground against Crawley Town.
Pierce Sweeney (Exeter City) – Defender
A right-back with an eye for a slide-rule pass and a dangerous cross, Sweeney also contributed three goals in September. A towering header against Notts County was bettered by a stunning low 20-yard volley versus Cheltenham.
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