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It may be easy to gloss upon many of the players who make up non-league football. Yet football has shown us in the past – through players like Jamie Vardy – that it is possible to find excellent players even in the lower leagues. Sticking with this theme, let us take a look at some of the top players in non-league football who are capable of mixing with the big boys if given an opportunity.
Kabongo Tshimanga
Kabongo Tshimanga has been with Boreham Wood since the summer of 2019. He made the switch from Oxford City on a free transfer. A remarkable 19 goals in the 37 league appearances during the 2019-20 campaign was a huge factor in helping Boreham Wood get the fifth-place finish in the league. The Congo striker has been going through a mediocre form during the 2020-21 season, but he has proven to be quite prolific whenever given the opportunity. Still only 22 years old, Tshimanga has already started featuring for the England C and he was the third-highest scorers in the league last season. Since the forward has only a few months left on his contract at Boreham, he can be an attractive pick.
Adam Marriott
Adam Marriott went through red hot form during the 2020-21 campaign. Apart from scoring goals, the center forward has also been able to be quite active in terms of the build-up play. At 29 years of age, many clubs would pass up the opportunity to sign the striker who has been at King’s Lynn Tow since 2018. However, the likes of Jamie Vardy have proven that some players tend to come well with age. After having played in League Two football not too long ago, a League One outfit might just take the punt on Marriott if the season continues to progress well.
Brendan Kiernan
Brendan Kiernan has already been making a lot of impact at various clubs and he recently made the switch to Harrogate Town. At 27 years of age, the creative midfielder is entering into the best days of his career. He has been quite impressive in recent years, while the experience of playing for more than 10 clubs will certainly have its say. His contract with Harrogate runs out of the summer making him an attractive proposition.
Tom Crawford
Crawford had been quite a reliable player for Notts County during his short spell with the club. Even though he was on loan clubs like Fylde after joining Notts County, the central midfielder has now made a permanent switch to Hartlepool United. A move to Victoria Park gives him a better opportunity to start afresh and prove his worth on a regular basis. Even though Crawford is yet to make his debut for the England C team, the former Stoke City youth team player has been able to put together is dominating performances in the middle of the park.