They say December is the most wonderful time of the year, and that would be correct as the Acorns spent the festive month unbeaten in the Southern League Div One South.
It was a month that started with an emphatic victory, a massive win on the road and then taking down some of the promotion favourites.
A vastly changed Acorns side did suffer a single defeat in the GFA Challenge Cup against Cheltenham Town, 2-0.
This impressive form saw the Acorns finish the month sat in eighth, after picking up three wins and two draws over Christmas.
It’s time to look back at the festive period and what happened for the Acorns.
THE NUMBERS
Games: 6 | Won: 3 | Drew: 2 | Lost: 1 | Points: 11/15 | Scored: 13 | Conceded: 6 | Clean Sheets: 2
BACK-TO-BACK WINS TO START
After finishing November with a victory over Swindon Supermarine, the Acorns carried that momentum into the new month securing a further two wins on the spin.
An emphatic 6-1 victory to kick off the festive period against Tavistock AFC really got the Acorns in mood, with goals from Billy Osborn, Nathan Jenkins, Vanylson Silva, Drew Robinson and a brace from Noah Coates.
Next up, it was trip to an inform Bideford AFC in tricky conditions, which saw the Acorns fall 1-0 behind and needed a Louis Manning strike, right on half time, to level the game.
That late goal sparked a response from the Acorns and, shortly after the restart, Manning’s low cross was turned home by a Bideford player, to secure the Acorns first win on the road since October 11th.
GRINDING THEM OUT
Two draws were to follow these wins starting with a defensively proud performance against high flyers, Winchester City.
The Acorns were struck down with illness in camp prior to the game, but despite a handful of first team players missing, the side battled their way to an important goalless draw, frustrating the visiting Winchester.
It was a trip to Melksham Town, who had picked up form under new manager Stuart Fleetwood, which was proven when they took a 2-0 lead against the Acorns.
As the unbeaten streak looked to be dwindling away, Jenkins step up to the task and with two strikes from distance, pulled his side back from the dead to come away with a 2-2 draw.
CLEEVE-ING THE YEAR IN STYLE
The Acorns ended the year with a tough test against another of the promotion favourites and local outfit, Bishops Cleeve.
With what could be described as one of the performances of the season, the Acorns took a deserved 2-0 lead into half time, courtesy of Coates and Spencer Hamilton.
Cleeve attempted to get back into the game, but Seth Locke had other ideas, tipping a late penalty on to the post.
Manning grabbed himself another goal for the season to secure the points and 3-0 win with a punishing finish on the angle, extending the sides unbeaten run to six games.
The Acorns will be hoping to keep the form up in the New Year, as we travel to Malvern Town on Saturday 3rd, January.
