Nathaniel Atkinson’s magnificent March has earned the young Melbourne City full-back a nomination for Young Footballer of the Year.
Atkinson – 21 – featured five times for City throughout March, notching five wins and three clean sheets as Patrick Kisnorbo’s side hurtled up the table on a six-game A-League winning streak – a club record.
After his dream run in March, Atkinson was unfortunate to suffer a high-grade hamstring tear against Wellington Phoenix in early April – which City confirmed will keep the full-back out for the next two to three months.
Atkinson’s injury is an enormous loss for Kisnorbo and City, who relied heavily on his energetic play and link-up with Andrew Nabbout down the right flank as the side surged into Premiership contention.
Playing on the right side of City’s defence, Atkinson combined with Nabbout operating in a forward role down the same flank to brutal effect throughout the five games in March. Atkinson touched the ball more than 90 times in every game in the month. He created a total of six chances, claiming one assist in consecutive games against Melbourne Victory and Macarthur FC.
His best performance of the month came against Central Coast Mariners, when City dealt the league-leaders a 2-0 defeat at AAMI Park. Atkinson contributed to his side’s clean sheet, enjoyed a 100% tackle success rate, took 96 touches, passed 74 times at an accuracy of 91.9% and scored the second goal in his team’s impressive victory.
Atkinson won the ball with a strong challenge on Jack Clisby in the middle of the park, before bombing forward to score off Nabbout’s shot which was spilled into his path by Mark Birighitti.
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