We’ve almost reached the halfway point of my Football Manager 2017 project. That means it’s time for some festive football!

December is always a busy time in the football calendar, and it’s no different where the Counties Championship is concerned. We’ve got SEVEN rounds of matches to go through in each of the four regional divisions. You’ll probably understand, then, why I’ve decided to split the December recap into two separate posts.

Today, we’ll be focussing on the North and East divisions to see how things stand going into the new year. The second post – in which we’ll be looking at the South and West divisions – will come later this week.

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NORTH DIVISION

ROUND 17 (3 December)

The Greater Manchester juggernaut kept on rolling in early December. Ravel Morrison’s double helped the North leaders romp to a 4-0 lead over East Yorkshire. Things got hairy when the hosts pulled two goals back and GM had Dale Stephens sent off for a late challenge on Liam Cooper, but the outcome was never in doubt.

West Yorkshire also began the month very strongly. Clayton Donaldson, Duane Holmes and James Milner all netted in the first half as they made light work of North Yorkshire. Stuart McCall’s side also reclaimed 2nd place from Lancashire, who were beaten by a penalty from Merseyside left-back Leighton Baines.

Marcus Maddison was on the mark for County Durham as they won 2-0 against Cheshire. Fellow strugglers Cumbria kept Tyne & Wear at bay for 72 minutes before falling prey to big Andy Carroll. Further up the table, a late winner from South Yorkshire’s Luke Boden saw off Northumberland.

ROUND 18 (10 December)

For over half an hour, Cumbria were on course for a shock win at Old Trafford. Glenn Murray struck just before half-time to give his side a 1-0 lead over Greater Manchester, whose midfielder Danny Drinkwater lost his cool in the second half. However, a hat-trick in the final 15 minutes from substitute Zach Clough turned the game on its head.

A topsy-turvy five-goal match in Middlesbrough went to the wire, but Merseyside suffered defeat after James Coppinger struck for North Yorkshire in stoppage-time. South Yorkshire also scored three in a home victory, with late goals from Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Danny L Rose boosting their play-off hopes at Lancashire’s expense.

West Yorkshire stayed in 2nd, despite stumbling to a draw at Tyne & Wear. Adam Le Fondre’s double helped earn Cheshire the points against East Yorkshire, but Northumberland were off-colour in a home loss to County Durham.

ROUND 19 (13 December)

West Yorkshire won a close contest in Liverpool to inflict a second straight defeat on Merseyside. Donaldson and Jacob Butterfield scored for the visitors in the first half, during which Alex Smithies saved a Baines penalty. The Scousers could only respond with a single second-half goal from Ross Barkley.

After his super-sub heroics last time out, Clough started for Greater Manchester against County Durham – and scored twice more in a 3-1 win. While the Mancunians consolidated a strong lead, Lancashire got back on track thanks to Marc Pugh’s excellent volley at Northumberland.

East Yorkshire stayed rooted to the bottom after Kazenga LuaLua netted to end Tyne & Wear’s four-game losing run. Cumbria were now a point ahead of the East Riding after Ryan Bowman saved a point in North Yorkshire. John Stones scored an own goal for Cheshire, but his South Yorkshire colleagues recovered to draw 1-1.

ROUND 20 (17 December)

Greater Manchester had won their last seven league games, but that run was dramatically broken in Sheffield. South Yorkshire led 1-0 at half-time through Jamie Vardy, but they lost that lead early in the second half through a Kyle Walker own goal. Thankfully, Vardy managed to score again late on, latching onto Calvert-Lewin’s killer pass for the winner.

GM’s slip-up was good news for West Yorkshire, who pulled another three points back on the leaders after Butterfield’s goal defeated Lancashire. The Lancastrians were replaced in the top four by Merseyside after Victor Anichebe scored either side of half-time at Cumbria.

Luke Brattan’s 2nd-minute opener for East Yorkshire was cancelled out by North Yorkshire’s Charlie Wyke, but the home team managed to get back level on points with Cumbria. County Durham were 2-0 winners over Tyne & Wear, but an out-of-sorts Northumberland lost by the same score to Cheshire.

ROUND 21 (20 December)

Lancashire read the riot act in Cumbria to return to the play-off places. Attacking midfielder Kieran Dowell was an unlikely hat-trick hero for Phil Parkinson’s visitors, completing his treble – and a 6-1 win – from the penalty spot. Cumbria midfielder Paul Nicholson was sent off, presumably after being confused with the so-called bad boy of darts.

Cumbria dropped to last place for the first time in nearly a month, with East Yorkshire having moved ahead of them after sharing four goals with West Yorkshire. The visitors’ slip-up was exploited by Greater Manchester, who stretched their lead after Scott Hogan scored twice in a narrow win over Le Fondre and Cheshire.

Northumberland wouldn’t be having a happy Christmas after bitter rivals Tyne & Wear condemned them to five straight defeats. South Yorkshire would also be short of festive spirit after losing Rose, the match, and their top-four ranking against North Yorkshire. Merseysiders would be very merry, though, after a 2-0 away win over County Durham took them up to 3rd.

ROUND 22 (27 December)

Greater Manchester’s stars might’ve gone easy on the Christmas turkey – but they certainly didn’t on Northumberland’s turkeys. Right-back Kieran Trippier ran the show with two assists for Rashford and Hogan before substitute midfielder Kieran Lee compounded the Northumberians’ recent misery.

Wyke probably got some new shooting boots over the holidays, as he scored three goals in North Yorkshire’s five-star display against County Durham. Vardy wasn’t quite so prolific against County Durham, but he did net another brace to get South Yorkshire back into 4th ahead of Lancashire, who drew 0-0 in Cheshire.

A rare goal from skipper Fabian Delph capped off a professional performance from West Yorkshire to overcome a brave Cumbria challenge. East Yorkshire also showed plenty of pluck on Merseyside, but Barkley ultimately got the better of their goalkeeping captain Paul Robinson.

ROUND 23 (31 December)

2016 ended on a high for Greater Manchester, despite trailing Lancashire 1-0 at the break after Jay Rodriguez scored on 15 minutes. Rashford fought back in the second half, assisting Hogan’s equaliser before winning the match seven minutes from time. Lancs goalkeeper Sam Johnstone was beaten at his near post, leaving some pundits frothing at the mouth.

The bottom two fought in Hull, where Cumbria succumbed to three East Yorkshire goals in the first 29 minutes. They now had the worst form in the North division, as Billy Ions got Northumberland back in the points at home to North Yorkshire. Visiting midfielder Jonathan Hogg damaged his cruciate ligaments and would miss the rest of the season.

Gary Martin netted after just 14 minutes for County Durham, but West Yorkshire recovered to win 3-1 as Butterfield scored before setting up two for Cameron Jerome. The two teams directly below them – South Yorkshire and Merseyside – drew 1-1 in Sheffield. Tommy J Smith’s second own goal this month condemned Cheshire to defeat against Tyne & Wear.

With a massive 14-point lead, it’s now surely only a matter of when Greater Manchester officially seal their play-off place. West Yorkshire also go into 2017 in a very strong position, while Merseyside’s recent form has given their fans plenty of confidence. Northumberland started December in 5th position before their charge imploded.

MANAGER OF THE MONTH: Gary Neville (Greater Manchester).

PLAYER OF THE MONTH: Marcus Rashford (Greater Manchester).

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NORTH DIVISION MID-SEASON STATS

MOST GOALS	COUNTY	GOALS
Danny Welbeck	Greater Manchester	18
Jamie Vardy	South Yorkshire	16
Scott Hogan	Greater Manchester	14
Cameron Jerome	West Yorkshire	14
Marcus Maddison	Tyne & Wear	13

MOST ASSISTS	COUNTY	ASSISTS
Marcus Rashford	Greater Manchester	9
Harry Chapman	County Durham	8
Aaron Lennon	West Yorkshire	8
Kieran Trippier	Greater Manchester	8
Marcus Maddison	Tyne & Wear	7
Ravel Morrison	Greater Manchester	7
Marc Pugh	Lancashire	7

MOST CLEAN SHEETS	COUNTY	CS’s
Sam Johnstone	Lancashire	12
Lee Nicholls	Merseyside	12
Connor Ripley	North Yorkshire	9
Tom Heaton	Cheshire	8
Fraser Forster	Northumberland	7
Alex Smithies	West Yorkshire	7

BEST AVERAGE RATING	COUNTY	AV RAT
Marcus Rashford	Greater Manchester	7.73
Phil Jagielka	Greater Manchester	7.57
Michael Keane	Greater Manchester	7.50
Ben Mee	Greater Manchester	7.50
Scott Hogan	Greater Manchester	7.47

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EAST DIVISION

ROUND 17 (3 December)

The East’s monthly review begins with one of the most unexpected routs you’ll read about this season! 9th-placed Leicestershire turned in a stunning performance to put FOUR past 2nd-placed Hertfordshire without reply. Frontmen Jonson Clarke-Harris and Che Adams each got a goal and an assist against the broken Herts.

Essex were lucky not to suffer their own embarrassment in Derbyshire. The Rams recovered from 2-0 down to take a point off the league leaders, who’d been weakened by captain James Tomkins being struck down with tendonitis. Leicestershire’s 4-0 rout was replicated by Bedfordshire, who inflicted great pain on Cambridgeshire after a first-half brace from teenager Ali Coote.

Lincolnshire reached the dizzy heights of 10th after their 1-0 win over Suffolk was complemented by Norfolk’s home defeat to Nottinghamshire. Rutland remained bottom with just a single point as right-back Kev Milewhite was sent off in a heavy loss against Sean Dyche’s Northamptonshire.

ROUND 18 (10 December)

Cambridgeshire’s Alex Revell scored two equalisers in a bonkers opening 10 minutes against Essex. His quickfire responses to Benik Afobe and Gary Hooper clearly rattled the Essex boys, who wasted countless opportunities to score in the next 80 minutes before having to take another draw.

Hertfordshire’s shaky start to the festive period continued in Lincolnshire, where only Tom Carroll’s injury-time header spared them from a humiliating loss. One thing they did lose, though, was 2nd place. Bedfordshire now had only Essex ahead of them in the standings after Daniel Powell’s brace decided a five-goal thriller against Nottinghamshire.

Leicestershire showed their 4-0 win the previous week was no fluke, as they put FIVE past Rutland. 18-year-old midfielder Todd Cantwell got on the scoreboard for the first time as Norfolk overcame Northamptonshire. Nobody could make the breakthrough between Derbyshire and Suffolk.

ROUND 19 (13 December)

That’s more like the Essex we’ve come to know and envy. With Leicestershire’s goalkeeper Chris Kirkland having recently retired due to personal problems, his 17-year-old successor Dan Wallis was left helpless against a rampant Gary Hooper. A hat-trick from the former Celtic marksman inspired a 4-1 win for Chris Hughton’s leaders.

Also winning 4-1, and making a return to form, were Hertfordshire. Four goals in a 15-minute spell blew Sam Mason-Smith’s early Norfolk opener clean out the water. Lincolnshire took the best part of 75 minutes to blow Rutland away, eventually recording a second win in three games.

Three play-off challengers won their matches by single goals. Keshi Anderson’s strike was enough for Bedfordshire against Suffolk, and David McGoldrick got Nottinghamshire’s job done against Cambridgeshire. Derbyshire’s lone goal in Northamptonshire came not from goal machine Ashley Hunter, but from midfielder Matty Palmer.

ROUND 20 (17 December)

Essex continued to dominate the East division in their own way. After more than 70 minutes of mediocrity against Nottinghamshire, winger Alex Pritchard suddenly lit the blue touch paper with quickfire assists for Hooper and Afobe. That’s now 10 matches without defeat for them.

Bedfordshire were also in fine form, and they bested Northamptonshire by another Anderson goal to nil. That win strengthened their hold on 2nd place after Hertfordshire only drew 0-0 in Derbyshire. Incidentally, the hosts handed 4th position back to Suffolk after Chris Martin had earned them an away win in Cambridgeshire.

Leicestershire went back to their free-scoring ways, with captain Hamza Choudhury showing maturity beyond his 19 years in a 3-1 win over Lincolnshire. Fellow teenage middleman Cantwell also turned in an impressive performance as Norfolk proved too strong for Rutland.

ROUND 21 (20 December)

Their play-off hopes might be fading, but you can’t accuse Norfolk or Leicestershire of lacking fight. Che Adams’ double in a 3-1 Leicestershire win was overshadowed by a hat-trick for red cards in Norwich. Visiting midfielder Matt Robinson was first to go in the 18th minute, with home defenders Blaine Hudson and Chris Cohen seeing red in the second half.

Essex let their football do the fighting against Northamptonshire, as Gayle returned to form with a hat-trick following his recent ankle injury. Bedfordshire continued to keep the leaders on their toes after seeing off Rutland with a couple of second-half goals.

Nottinghamshire stormed into a 2-0 lead after just four minutes, but Chris Martin told his Suffolk team-mates, “Don’t panic,” before saving them a point. That was one of three draws in this round, as Cambridge shared two goals with Hertfordshire, as did Derbyshire with Lincolnshire.

ROUND 22 (27 December)

Bedfordshire couldn’t wait to continue their winning run after Christmas, but they would be left disappointed in Hertfordshire. Lewis Baker’s opening goal in the 3rd minute was cancelled out by the hosts, as was Anderson’s 21st-minute half-volley. A red card for Beds winger Jay Dasilva after a reckless challenge on Harry Winks contributed to their failure.

Essex were underwhelming against Suffolk, who enjoyed more possession and created more chances than the leaders in Ipswich. Even so, Hughton’s side went home victorious after Gayle notched the winner 10 minutes into the second half. Their 2-1 winning scoreline was matched by Nottinghamshire against Leicestershire.

Stephy Mavididi did indeedy score a double for Derbyshire, who returned to the play-off places after beating Rutland 2-0. A goalless stalemate dealt another blow to the play-off hopes of both Northamptonshire and Cambridgeshire, while lowly Lincolnshire and Norfolk scrapped out a 1-1 draw.

ROUND 23 (31 December)

Essex’s third win over Hertfordshire this season was by far their most convincing. After Hooper had opened things up in the 32nd minute, Gayle got in on the act with goals in the 41st, 42nd and 49th. He would later beat David Button for a fourth time, just for good measure.

Cambridgeshire didn’t quite record a 5-0 win of their own against Rutland, but they were more than happy with four goals (two of which came from Sam Kelly). 2nd-placed Bedfordshire were just grateful to win at all, having trailed Lincolnshire 1-0 until six minutes from the end.

After rigidly staying in 6th for three months straight, Nottinghamshire finally climbed up to 5th after they beat Northamptonshire 1-0. They overtook Suffolk, who lost 2-0 to Leicestershire, despite the Foxes having Choudhury sent off YET AGAIN. Derbyshire strengthened their play-off position with a narrow win over Norfolk.

Essex’s lead in the East is now at 10 points, and their goal difference of +50 will alarm any prospective play-off opponents. Bedfordshire have also taken a huge leap towards the off-season, but there’s still plenty of competition for the other two places. Even 9th-placed Northamptonshire can’t be completely discounted if they hit form in January.

MANAGER OF THE MONTH: Garry Monk (Bedfordshire).

PLAYER OF THE MONTH: Gary Hooper (Essex).

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EAST DIVISION MID-SEASON STATS

MOST GOALS	COUNTY	GOALS
Dwight Gayle	Essex	24
Chris Martin	Suffolk	17
Che Adams	Leicestershire	16
Keshi Anderson	Bedfordshire	16
Ashley Hunter	Derbyshire	16

MOST ASSISTS	COUNTY	ASSISTS
Harvey Barnes	Leicestershire	12
Benik Afobe	Essex	11
Ivan Toney	Northamptonshire	11
Izzy Brown	Cambridgeshire	9
Dwight Gayle	Essex	9

MOST CLEAN SHEETS	COUNTY	CS’s
Daniel Bentley	Essex	13
Lee Camp	Derbyshire	9
Scott Loach	Nottinghamshire	8
John Ruddy	Cambridgeshire	8
Karl Darlow	Northamptonshire	7

BEST AVERAGE RATING	COUNTY	AV RAT
Dwight Gayle	Essex	8.10
Benik Afobe	Essex	7.61
Ashley Hunter	Derbyshire	7.56
Charlie Daniels	Essex	7.49
Andros Townsend	Essex	7.47

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Please come back on Friday evening for Part 2 of the December recap, in which we’ll have the latest results from the South and West divisions.