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Sport

Vote for your star man in KentOnline’s team of the season

By: KentOnline Sports Reporter

Published: 07:31, 15 May 2024

Updated: 07:39, 15 May 2024

Here we go with KentOnline’s team of the season.

Once again, thousands of readers have voted in our weekly polls throughout another fine season of Kent football.

And there’s one more vote to cast - this time for player of the season.

Have a look at our starting XI and pick your favourite at the bottom of the page.

Voting closes at 9am on Friday, May 24.

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We’ve also got a five-man bench while our pick for top boss couldn’t have been closer.

Every successful team needs a good goalkeeper and Isthmian South East champions Cray Valley had one in Max Ovenden.

He only joined the Millers in September, advertised as “providing valuable cover” but turned out to be undroppable.

The former Haringey man went on to keep 22 clean sheets as the Millers won the title by six points.

Conor Masterson picked up the supporters’ player-of-the-year trophy at Gillingham after another standout season, adding goals to his game with six.

Defensively the team were sound, it was problems in attack that scuppered their promotion hopes.

Cray Valley goalkeeper Max Ovenden. Picture: Alan Coomes

Myles Kenlock only joined Ebbsfleet in late October but the former Ipswich man was a class act in defence, resulting in an England C call-up.

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He played a key role in helping the Fleet avoid National League relegation.

Jack Penny, Deal’s 2022/23 player-of-the-year, enjoyed another consistent season as the Hoops won Southern Counties East.

The left-back’s lethal set-piece skills meant he was a threat in both boxes.

Josh Oliver continued his impressive step up from youth football into the men’s team at Whitstable Town.

The Oystermen missed out on the SCEFL play-offs but Oliver contributed plenty of goals and assists from midfield.

The fact Luke Woodward was voted both manager’s player and players’ player-of-the-year at Sittingbourne says everything about his performances in midfield.

He made 32 appearances as the Brickies reached the Isthmian South East play-offs, with his fantastic attitude and influence an example for young players to follow.

He’s already been rewarded with a new deal for next season.

Gillingham defender Conor Masterson. Picture: @Julian_KPI

Sam Corne was voted manager’s player and supporters’ player-of-the-year at Maidstone and also made the National League South team of the season.

And it was little wonder after a superb campaign which included 13 goals and 11 assists plus FA Cup winners against Stevenage and Ipswich as George Elokobi’s history-makers reached the last 16 before bowing out to Coventry.

James Dyer played key roles in two cup final victories for Erith Town with big goals when his team needed them.

That was also the case in Southern Counties East with many of Dyer’s strikes catching the eye as the Dockers won promotion via the play-offs. He scored 28 goals from 51 appearances.

Michael Salako joined Herne Bay in early September as something of a journeyman after spells with eight clubs.

But he enjoyed the most prolific season of his career, scoring 27 goals and being praised for his fox-in-the-box qualities by boss Steve Lovell as Bay challenged for an Isthmian South East play-off place.

Ramsgate knew they were getting goals when they brought Joe Taylor back to Southwood on the eve of the season.

But nobody could have expected what followed as the 32-year-old scored an astonishing 53 times, beating his previous best by 16.

Maidstone United midfielder Sam Corne. Picture: Steve Terrell

His hat-trick at Chichester on the penultimate weekend saw him become the club’s all-time record scorer, surpassing Micky Williamson’s official figure of 120.

It says something about a striker when he scores goals in an unfancied side.

That’s certainly the case with Trevor McCreadie who rattled 30 in 45 appearances for a Tunbridge Wells side who finished 13th in Southern Counties East.

He finished second-top goalscorer behind Faversham striker Stefan Payne, who features on our bench.

Jamie Yila (Chatham), Matt Day (Larkfield & New Hythe), Ethan Smith (Hythe Town) and Jacob Lambert (Sheppey United) complete our 16 after influential campaigns.

We arrived at two names for our manager of the season - Steve McKimm of Cray Valley and Deal boss Steve King.

Ramsgate striker Joe Taylor. Picture: Stuart Watson

McKimm led the Millers to Isthmian South East title glory with a record 95 points, losing only one game, to overhaul pre-season favourites Ramsgate.

They also reached the FA Cup first round, taking League 1 Charlton a replay.

But he’s pipped by King after the Hoops’ unexpected championship success in the SCEFL.

Deal would barely have featured in any title talk before the season, with Faversham and their collection of big names widely expected to walk the division.

But King changed all that, with a 3-1 win over Lydd in April sealing the championship and promotion to Isthmian South East.

Get your team in the limelight! We want your team pictures for our Euros supplement next month - find out how to get involved here

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