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 South and West divisions to see how things stand going into the new year. You can read about the latest results from the North and East divisions right here.

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SOUTH DIVISION

ROUND 17 (3 December)

Unbeaten since September, South London showed complete confidence in dismantling a poor Wiltshire side 4-1 in Swindon. Centre-back Joe Gomez kicked off the rout in the 34th minute, with six of his team-mates either contributing a goal or an assist. Teenage midfielder Callum Ainley’s late goal gave Wiltshire at least some solace.

North London were similarly dominant against Berkshire, winning 3-1 after scoring all their goals in the opening 25 minutes. However, the most one-sided contest came in Gillingham, where Conor Washington’s hat-trick and John Akinde’s late double saw Kent thrash the Isle of Wight 5-0.

Hampshire tasted a fourth victory in succession, though they had to wait until the 80th minute before Danny Ings accounted for West Sussex. Defender Lewis Dunk scored an injury-time equaliser for East Sussex at home to Surrey, and Buckinghamshire replaced Berkshire in the play-off spots after beating Oxfordshire 2-0.

ROUND 18 (10 December)

Buckinghamshire enjoyed another positive result when South London came to Milton Keynes. The visitors had led 1-0 at half-time, with Ben Watson converting a penalty after team-mate Kieran Gibbs was bundled over in the penalty area. Bucks bucked up their ideas in the second half, as Rob Hall buried George Williams’ through-ball to save a point.

One of the biggest shocks of the championship so far came in North London, where Harry Redknapp’s big guns misfired against – of all teams – the Isle of Wight! The Islanders celebrated picking up just their second point of the campaign!

Berkshire returned to the play-off spots after they saw off East Sussex 3-0 and Hampshire were beaten by Kent. Dean Cox’s double got West Sussex back on the right track against Wiltshire, and Surrey’s fortunes were also looking up after a comeback win over Oxfordshire.

ROUND 19 (13 December)

For the second round in a row, North London failed to score. Harry Kane and co looked short of energy and ideas against West Sussex’s stubborn defence, in which right-back Joel Ward was especially impressive.

South London moved five points clear of their city rivals, with Michail Antonio striking twice in a 4-1 bashing of East Sussex. Having moved up to 3rd three days earlier, Kent helped consolidate their new position after a narrow win over Wiltshire. Their winner was a 67th-minute own goal from Moonrakers captain Matt Mills.

Trailing Berkshire 2-0 with little time to play, Lee Angol and Craig Tanner somehow pulled a draw out of the fire for Surrey. Buckinghamshire took their time on the Isle of Wight before Adam Chicksen and Dele Alli secured a 2-0 away win, which Hampshire also achieved in Oxfordshire.

ROUND 20 (17 December)

Ryan Mason ran the show as North London sparked back into life against play-off rivals Kent. Mason scored the first of two goals in the 58th minute, not long after Washington had been sent off for the opposition. Another Tottenham midfield youth graduate – Jake Livermore – got the other North London goal in a 3-1 win.

It was just as well the North got back to winning ways, as South London certainly weren’t letting up. Promising winger Jordon Ibe set up two of the visitors’ goals during a 3-2 victory in Surrey. Hampshire’s good form continued when they put two past Wiltshire without reply.

The other three games were all scoreless. Buckinghamshire vs West Sussex did see plenty of yellow cards, as did East Sussex’s stalemate against an Isle of Wight side who collected a third point. Oxfordshire vs Berkshire was about as forgettable as you’d expect.

ROUND 21 (20 December)

Maybe Berkshire were just saving all their goals up for Hampshire’s visit to Reading. They raced into a 3-0 lead after 12 minutes through Charlie Austin, James Henry and a Harlee Dean own goal. Teenager Dominic Solanke got a fourth home goal late on in between a couple of Hants consolations.

Both London clubs registered 3-0 victories to further strengthen their top-two statuses. South London stayed five points clear at the summit after midfielder Junior Stanislas outclassed an out-of-form Oxfordshire. North London coasted to an easy win over a Wiltshire side who were enduring a nightmare festive period.

Buckinghamshire surrendered their top-four place after Wayne Routledge and Luke Freeman grabbed all three points for Kent. West Sussex also won 2-0 in the derby with East Sussex, and Surrey defeated the Isle of Wight to the same tune.

ROUND 22 (27 December)

South London’s long unbeaten run nearly came a cropper in Berkshire. Austin’s double had Alan Pardew’s men on the ropes at half-time before Stanislas and Ibe levelled the scores. Solanke restored Berks’ lead in the 76th minute, but a sloppy pass from defender Zak Jules gifted SL midfielder Kasey Palmer a crucial leveller five minutes later.

After sitting out Kent’s last match through suspension, Washington returned with a hat-trick in East Sussex. Andy Hessenthaler’s side returned to 3rd place at the expense of Hampshire, who gave a good account on themselves against North London but only drew 0-0.

Oxfordshire had gone nine matches without a win before Jamaica winger Garath McCleary snapped that unwanted streak against the Isle of Wight. Five days after star man Luke Shaw tore his hamstring in training, a couple of Angol equalisers saved Surrey a draw against West Sussex. Meanwhile, an inconsistent Buckinghamshire side prevailed 3-1 over Wiltshire.

ROUND 23 (31 December)

It might have been little more than a mid-table battle, but Oxfordshire and West Sussex served up an end-of-year classic. Josh McEachran struck first for Oxon, but Gareth Southgate’s visitors led 2-1 at the break. The visitors then moved 3-2 ahead before late goals from Ward and Harrison Reed brought the points home to Crawley.

Berkshire also netted four goals, though they made sure the Isle of Wight didn’t get any for themselves first. They returned to 4th position ahead of Buckinghamshire, who were pegged back by North London after Simon Church’s early opener.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s goal for Hampshire in Charlton was in vain, as Tammy Abraham was at the double for a triumphant South London. Washington’s brace for Kent defeated Surrey, while East Sussex and Wiltshire slogged out a low-quality draw.

South London retain a five-point lead going into 2017, but North London will feel that they can get back on top soon if they cut out those draws. Kent’s monthly rise from 7th to 3rd is an example to another five teams who have realistic hopes of making the play-offs. Everyone from Oxfordshire down is basically fighting for pride now.

MANAGER OF THE MONTH: Andy Hessenthaler (Kent).

PLAYER OF THE MONTH: Dominic Solanke (Berkshire).

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SOUTH DIVISION MID-SEASON STATS

MOST GOALS	COUNTY	GOALS
Jermain Defoe	North London	21
Charlie Austin	Berkshire	19
Conor Washington	Kent	16
Dom Dwyer	West Sussex	15
Danny Ings	Hampshire	15

MOST ASSISTS	COUNTY	ASSISTS
Callum Harriott	Surrey	10
Danny Ings	Hampshire	10
Luke Freeman	Kent	9
Dean Cox	West Sussex	8
Harry Kane	North London	8
Raheem Sterling	North London	8

MOST CLEAN SHEETS	COUNTY	CS’s
George Legg	Berkshire	12
Neil Etheridge	Hampshire	10
Rob Elliot	South London	9
Matt Ingram	Buckinghamshire	9
Sam Howes	West Sussex	7
Lawrence Vigouroux	North London	7

HIGHEST AVERAGE RATING	COUNTY	AV RAT
Jermain Defoe	North London	8.15
Harry Kane	North London	7.66
Ryan Mason	North London	7.59
Jason Puncheon	South London	7.53
Joe Gomez	South London	7.51

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WEST DIVISION

ROUND 17 (3 December)

We start the West’s monthly recap in St Austell, where leaders Staffordshire were surprisingly held by second-from-bottom Cornwall. Richard Stearman had steered the Staffies in front after 18 minutes, only for Isaac Vassell to head in a 35th-minute equaliser.

Staffordshire’s advantage was cut down to three points after Jacob Blyth grabbed a couple of goals for Warwickshire in Dorset. The West Midlands’ title hopes took another hit in Yeovil, where they exchanged second-half penalties – and plenty of fouls – with Somerset.

A 1-0 win in Devon – coupled with Shropshire’s 2-2 draw against whipping boys Herefordshire – moved Bristol into the top four for the first time. Manager Keith Curle would be toasting his success with Ian Holloway after the Gloucestershire supremo revived their play-off ambitions in Worcestershire.

ROUND 18 (10 December)

Will Grigg’s fire was successfully extinguished by John Brayford and the rest of the Staffordshire captain’s defence in a 2-0 away win. Warwickshire couldn’t register so much as a shot on target as they missed the opportunity to go top at their rivals’ expense.

Though Daniel Sturridge was likely out until February with tendonitis, the West Midlands didn’t struggle for goals in Plymouth. Three in the second period – including a 65th-minute stunner from captain Troy Deeney – took care of Devon. Shropshire’s confidence also received a boost with victory in Worcestershire, who collected seven bookings but no goals.

Bristol stayed in the top four – but only just, as Danny Rose’s 92nd-minute winner finally broke through the Dorset backline. Had it not been for the ex-Oxford midfielder, Bristol would’ve been overtaken by Somerset, who won 3-1 in Herefordshire. The other match of the round saw Gloucestershire draw 3-3 with Cornwall, from 3-1 down.

ROUND 19 (14 December)

When the Staffordshire bull terrier was unleashed on the Herefordshire bull, chaos inevitably ensued. Top destroyed bottom to the tune of 5-0, as Joe Newell scored the Staffies’ third goal and set up another two. Herefordshire defender Sam Gwynne certainly wasn’t grinning after his 61st-minute red card.

The West Midlands also enjoyed a comfortable win on home soil. Callum Wilson showed his credentials by scoring in either half of a 4-0 rout against Cornwall. Devon struck the first blow against Shropshire through Joe Mason, but Salop had the last laugh after winning 4-1.

Shropshire’s win meant they brought an end to Bristol’s time in the play-off spots. Grigg had reignited Warwickshire’s fire in a 2-2 draw against the Bristolians. Worcestershire’s worries grew with defeat in Somerset, while Gloucestershire and Dorset’s 0-0 draw did no good to either team’s post-season hopes.

ROUND 20 (17 December)

18 matches and more than four months later, Staffordshire were finally beaten in the West division. Their great run – which stretched back to the second round of league fixtures – was halted in scrappy circumstances by Bristol. A 53rd-minute Stearman clearance was intercepted by Rose, whose shot found the net after a slight deflection off Mike Williamson.

Brothers Gary and Craig Gardner were both booked – with Craig later seeing red – as the West Midlands suffered another blip in drawing 1-1 with Dorset. Having briefly taken 2nd place from Warwickshire, they had to give it straight back after Jamie Paterson earned a late win against Gloucestershire.

Ashley Barnes netted twice in Somerset’s 3-1 victory over Devon. Steven Fletcher also scored twice – albeit both times from the penalty spot – when Shropshire won in Cornwall by the same score. Worcestershire ended a four-game losing run by comfortably beating Herefordshire.

ROUND 21 (21 December)

This must surely be the result which confirms that Staffordshire are the new powerhouses of the West division. Troy Deeney might have put the West Midlands ahead after 50 minutes in Stoke-on-Trent, but Oliver Shenton equalised just three minutes later before Stearman sealed victory for the hosts.

After their defeat, Sam Allardyce’s West Midlands side slipped out of the top four. They were overtaken by Somerset (who came from behind to beat Dorset 3-1) and Bristol (whose young striker Isaac Pearce earned a narrow win over Gloucestershire). If his team’s plight worsened after Christmas, Big Sam would surely lose his job.

Tom Curtis’ position as Devon boss was under real scrutiny after they suffered a fifth straight defeat – and at home to Herefordshire as well! The rock-bottom Bulls were now only a point behind Cornwall, who lose 2-0 to Worcestershire. Warwickshire and Shropshire drew 0-0 in a match that failed to reach expectations.

ROUND 22 (28 December)

Curtis had one last chance to save his job, but he blew it. With Devon 2-1 down to Worcestershire in the 84th minute, the visitors won a penalty… which Ben Tozer fired straight at Worcs goalkeeper Dean Lyness. After the latest blow to their play-off hopes, Devon became the first county to sack their manager.

Jack Grealish perhaps saved Allardyce from a similar fate in the West Midlands, scoring a late winner against Warwickshire. That result saw WM return to the play-offs at the expense of their rivals, who plummeted from 2nd to 5th. Somerset now occupied 2nd place after destroying Cornwall 4-0.

Kemar Roofe appeared to have earned Staffordshire a 1-0 win in Gloucestershire, but Eric Dier had other ideas, saving a point for Holloway’s boys. Bristol were 3-0 winners against Herefordshire, for whom Gwynne collected a second red card in barely a fortnight. Shropshire won 2-1 against Dorset, having been behind at half-time.

ROUND 23 (31 December)

Staffordshire rounded off 2016 with a comfortable win over Shropshire, whose six-match unbeaten run evaporated. Midfielder David Davis inflicted the initial damage on 34 minutes, with Brayford and winger Marc Albrighton also contributing goals for the Staffies after the break.

Warwickshire had another off-day in front of goal against Somerset, whose wing wizard Scott Sinclair brought home the points. The West Midlands also got a 1-0 away win in Bristol, with Craig Gardner converting a 17th-minute penalty after Deeney had been shoved by Zak Vyner. The Bristol defender was later sent off following two bookings.

Devon’s first match under the temporary stewardship of first-team coach Simon Ireland was a 1-0 defeat to western neighbours Cornwall. To the east, Dorset squeaked home with a win against Worcestershire. Gloucestershire’s triumph over Herefordshire was much more emphatic.

Staffordshire enter the second half of the season with a six-point lead at the top, but their recent defeat to Bristol has warned them of the dangers of complacency. The West Midlands have also found out just how competitive the top half is. Nobody’s play-off place is safe, and even 7th-placed Dorset can’t be ruled out just yet.

MANAGER OF THE MONTH: Jason Dodd (Somerset).

PLAYER OF THE MONTH: Scott Sinclair (Somerset).

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WEST DIVISION MID-SEASON STATS

MOST GOALS	COUNTY	GOALS
Will Grigg	Warwickshire	14
Ashley Barnes	Somerset	12
Troy Deeney	West Midlands	12
Steven Fletcher	Shropshire	11
Scott Sinclair	Somerset	11
James Wilson	Staffordshire	11

MOST ASSISTS	COUNTY	ASSISTS
Jordan Graham	Warwickshire	8
Scott Sinclair	Somerset	8
James Wilson	Staffordshire	8
Mark Jones	Cornwall	7
Josh Sims	Somerset	7

MOST CLEAN SHEETS	COUNTY	CS’s
Jack Butland	Bristol	13
Joe Hart	Shropshire	11
Carl Ikeme	West Midlands	11
Matthew Jones	Staffordshire	10
Ben Foster	Warwickshire	9

HIGHEST AVERAGE RATING	COUNTY	AV RAT
Troy Deeney	West Midlands	7.56
Craig Gardner	West Midlands	7.50
Scott Sinclair	Somerset	7.41
Ashley Barnes	Somerset	7.39
Tom Lees	Warwickshire	7.37

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That’s your lot for December – but if you thought that was a hectic month, you haven’t seen anything yet!

January is even more jam-packed with action, so I’ll be splitting that into two parts as well. Please join me on Monday for the latest results from the North and East divisions, and then again next Friday to see how those teams in the South and West divisions have started the new year.