Skelmersdale United content to remain in play-off pack

Jan 28 2010 by Philip Kirkbride, Ormskirk Advertiser

BOSS Tommy Lawson is content for his side to quietly hunt down the leading pack in the UniBond First Division North.

A point against promotion rivals Curzon Ashton on Saturday was followed up by a fine 3-1 win over Bamber Bridge on Tuesday night to move Skem into fourth place in the table.

And though Lawson remains confident leaders Lancaster City can be caught, the boss is happy for his team to simply keep pace in the play-off places for the time being.

Next up for United is the visit of ninth placed Chorley on Saturday with Lawson anticipating determined opposition.

Lawson said: “We are just plodding along nicely at the moment and are just trying to amass as many points as we possibly can. Of course we are looking at the likes of Lancaster who are absolutely flying but have still got an awful lot of away games still to play.

“First and foremost our goal is to just stay in the pack and we have picked up a couple of good results this week and although I would have taken a point beforehand, I was disappointed we did not win the game at Curzon. We missed a penalty, a mistake gifted them their goal and Kevin Towey hit the bar.

“It has been a very good week and a rewarding one as well - Tuesday night in particular. We had Michael White and Martin Crowder missing and lost Liam Loughlin in the first five minutes and Ryan Wade to injury just before half-time. So the squad was stretched but we put in a smashing performance and played some great football against a decent side - it was a very, very good win.

“We will have to take stock of the injury situation tonight at training but it seems Michael White is a none starter because of his groin strain. He was prepared to play through it but I said if he played the situation could get worse and we could lose him for four weeks rather than just a couple of games, so we urged on the side of caution.

“We are well on with our fixtures and though we are still in two cup competitions, we can handle that. There is still an awful lot to play for and there will be twists and turns as they say.

“Chorley are a hard working team, they will graft and put a shift in so it will not be an easy game.”