Skelmersdale United manager Tommy Lawson says he is excited ahead of the UniBond First Division North title run-in

Apr 16 2009 by Philip Kirkbride, Skelmersdale Advertiser

MANAGER Tommy Lawson failed to hide his excitement as he prepares Skelmersdale United for the UniBond First Division North title run-in.

United went top of the league following Monday’s 3-0 home win over Clitheroe, and though Durham City had the chance to reclaim pole position with victory last night over Woodley Sports, Lawson says the pressure is on the north east side.

However the Skem boss was keen to state the ‘hard work starts now’ for his United squad who face four games in eight days as the championship race builds to a fantastic finale.

At the time of going to press, Skem were leading the division by two points from Durham and will be looking to extend the gap this week with games at Newcastle Blue Star on Saturday and Tuesday night’s home fixture with bottom of the league Salford City.

Lawson said: “It is an exciting situation and it is the first time we are testing Durham’s resolve. It is fair to say we have challenged them all season and have now clawed back a big deficit.

“We have got four terrific games left, all massive games in their own right so it is certainly interesting stuff.

“We gave the lads a block of three games to concentrate on last week and they responded really, really well but now we are looking at the final four games.

“Moving into the final weeks of the season in the position we are in, makes for fascinating stuff, we have gone in front at such a crucial time. But nothing is nailed on as yet, we have an awful lot to do. We need to roll our sleeves up for one big final push on behalf of the club, which the lads are all capable of.”

Unfortunately one player who will miss Skem’s title charge is Thomas Moore who is struggling with ankle ligament damage, but Lawson says he has no other fresh injury concerns.

Perhaps Lawson’s biggest worry is controlling the nerves he admitted feeling prior to the Good Friday win at Warrington Town.

But they were calmed as the team overcame a tough start to romp to a 4-0 win and Lawson insists the heat has now been turned up on Durham.

He added: “Before a game I never normally get nervous but in the back of my mind I knew the Warrington lads who used to play for Skem would be up for it, so I was a little apprehensive. But once the lads overcame the physical barrier, we were patient and the goals came. We are looking really strong defensively at the minute, really compact.

“Durham know we are knocking on the door and that puts pressure on them.”