The 2023/24 National League season is almost 75% complete, but which players have delivered the best individual performances so far this season?
To work this out, I have used the SofaScore individual player performance ratings to compile a list of the ten best individual performances so far this season.
To narrow it down further, only ten players so far this season have been given SofaScore’s perfect ten out of ten scores, with some players featuring in the list more than once, which further cements just how well certain players have performed so far this season.
In order for a player to have a certain score, they will either need hat-tricks or a high amount of saves in a match as well as high scores in other areas. For example, Dagenham & Redbridge midfielder Josh Rees scored three goals in the club’s 7-1 win against Oxford City but only scored a rating of 9.1.
Let’s begin the countdown of the ten best individual performances in the National League so far this season… (the list is in no particular order as each player had the same match rating)
10) Chris Conn-Clarke: Altrincham 6-1 Ebbsfleet United
Kicking off this list is Altrincham star Chris Conn-Clarke off the back of his impressive performance during a 6-1 win earlier in the campaign.
The playmaker scored twice and assisted an additional strike, which meant that 50% of the goals involved him. However, it wasn’t just his goal contributions that led to a perfect rating, it was his statistics as well.
Ten of his 11 dribbles were successful, whilst also having a passing success rate of 75% and contributing to three key passes in the match. He also won two fouls and contributed to three interceptions in the process.
9) Louie Moulden: Rochdale 2-0 AFC Fylde
Next was Rochdale’s former number one Louie Moulden who kept a clean sheet during his side’s 2-0 victory against AFC Fylde.
For a goalkeeper to receive the perfect score, they need to maintain a high standard and potentially gain an assist and that’s exactly what Moulden managed to do.
Within the match itself, Moulden made seven saves which allowed him to earn a clean sheet. He also completed 49 of his 52 passes (94%) and created a big chance which ultimately led to a goal.
8) Erico Sousa: Dagenham & Redbridge 1-3 Boreham Wood
Boreham Wood’s Erico Sousa had quite the performance during his side’s 3-1 victory against Dagenham & Redbridge and a maximum performance rating does not come as a surprise.
The Portuguese playmaker scored one and provided the assist for the other two goals, meaning he was involved in everything Boreham Wood created goal-wise.
During the match, Sousa managed an eye-watering nine key passes as well as a passing success rate of 77%. He also managed five shots on goal and had 12 successful dribbles from his 14 attempts, wrapping up a truly brilliant performance.
7) Chris Conn-Clarke: Altrincham 4-0 Eastleigh
It wouldn’t be a true list if Altrincham’s Chris Conn-Clarke only appeared once would it? He appears again following his side’s 4-0 riot against Eastleigh.
Unlike his previous entry, Conn-Clarke only scored once in this fixture but his statistics elsewhere were extremely impressive, to say the least.
From his 98 touches, Conn-Clarke managed a 74% success rate in terms of his passing, winning the vast majority of his ground duals as well as his dribbling success rate, a truly stunning player and one of the best players the division has ever seen.
6) Daniel Kanu: Southend United 5-0 Solihull Moors
Southend United fans would be extremely angry if Daniel Kanu’s masterclass against Solihull Moors wasn’t mentioned in this list.
The forward scored four of Southend’s five goals and averaged a shot success rate of 80% throughout the match. His impressive performance is comfortably one of the best so far this season.
In terms of his other statistics, Kanu managed nine accurate passes from 13 attempts as well as a key pass and all of this came from just 33 touches throughout the game.
5) Laurie Walker: Oxford City 0-2 Barnet
Barnet shot-stopper Laurie Walker had quite the afternoon for the Bees as he worked extremely hard to keep his clean sheet and his side’s three points.
During the match, Walker made nine saves, including eight inside the penalty area, which proved crucial to keep the Bees with another clean sheet.
He was also successful with 38 of his 43 passes as well as managing two interceptions and 14 accurate long balls during the contest.
4) Laurie Walker: Barnet FC 3-2 Maidenhead United
So good he had to make the list twice, Barnet’s Laurie Walker managed to go one better against Maidenhead United despite not being able to keep a clean sheet.
Walker made 13 saves during the match, including nine from inside the penalty area which helped to secure three points for Barnet in what was a difficult league fixture.
He managed more interceptions as well as 14 accurate long balls and a passing success rate of 89% which is extremely impressive for a shot-stopper.
3) Nicke Kabamba: Barnet FC 6-0 Boreham Wood
Bees fans, you will be pleased to learn that you have indeed completed a hat-trick of appearances but this time, it’s Nicke Kabamba who is taking his spot firmly on the list.
The forward scored three and assisted two of Barnet’s six goals, meaning he was involved in 80% of the goals. All three of his efforts on target went in, which is exactly what you’d want from your star forward.
He also completed 77% of his passes as well as winning two fouls and all of this from just 28 touches.
2) Billy Chadwick: Gateshead 6-0 Dorking Wanderers
Another hat-trick hero makes the list in the form of Gateshead’s Billy Chadwick (now of York City) against Dorking Wanderers earlier in the season.
The forward managed three goals from his five shots as well as over 80% of his passes being accurate. He only played for 71 of the 90 minutes during the game.
Chadwick may be at York City now but his impressive performance during the match certainly warrants a place on this list.
1) Inih Effiong: Dagenham & Redbridge 7-1 Oxford City
The final entry on the list is the most recent one in the form of Dagenham’s Inih Effiong who contributed to four of the club’s seven goals during their win against Oxford City at the weekend.
Effiong only played 63 minutes of the game but he managed two goals and two assists which works out as a goal contribution every 15 minutes.
Despite being a striker, Effiong also contributed to two clearances and two tackles adding qualities both going forward and at the back.
What are your thoughts on this list? Is there a performance you can remember that hasn’t been listed?