Mark Bonner has been nominated for the League 2 manager-of-the-month award – and so has the man he replaced at Gillingham.
The Gills ended the opening month of the campaign sitting top of League 2 and unbeaten after their first four games.
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Bonner’s side started September with a defeat at Doncaster – which saw them leapfrog the Gills into top spot – but it’s been an encouraging start to the season under the new boss.
Bonner replaced Stephen Clemence in the summer at Priestfield but after taking charge at Barrow, the former Gills boss has also enjoyed a fine start to the campaign.
Clemence led Barrow to three wins from their opening four games, sharing an identical goal record to the Gills with six scored and just one conceded.
They started September with a 1-1 home draw against Swindon, conceding deep into stoppage-time, after they had to play an outfield player in goal following a 42nd-minute dismissal of their goalkeeper Paul Farman. They had no replacement keeper on the bench.
Clemence will travel to Priestfield with his new Barrow team to face the Gills at the end of this month, on Saturday, September 28.
Winners of the August award are announced on Friday. The judging panel comprises former Barnsley manager Danny Wilson, Sky Sports’ EFL expert Don Goodman and Sky Bet EFL trader Ivor Davies.
Also nominated for the monthly accolade are AFC Wimbledon’s Johnnie Jackson and Walsall boss Mat Sadler.
Bonner got the nomination after he “swept into Kent, bringing with him a front-foot style, utilising pace down the wings and an attacking energy and verve that has been rewarded with the leadership of League Two and 10 points from four unbeaten games.”
On Clemence, the nomination spiel said that “while he has introduced a free-flowing style that is more appealing on the eye, Clemence has been shrewd enough to trust the solid Barrow defence already in place.
“The result was nine points from four games and three clean sheets.”
Gillingham have dropped back to fourth in the table after Saturday’s defeat. Only Notts County and Tranmere Rovers remain unbeaten in the league. Next up for the Gills is a home game against one of those – Tranmere making the trip to ME7 on Saturday.
