Skelmersdale United set to sign Anthony Hickey from Warrington Town

Feb 2 2012 by Neil Jones, Skelmersdale Advertiser

TOMMY LAWSON hopes to wrap up the signing of striker Anthony Hickey in time for Skelmersdale United’s trip to Ossett Town this weekend.

The Skem boss has served seven-days’ notice on the talented Warrington Town forward, and hopes to tie up a deal for the 22-year-old later this week.

Should the deal be sealed, the former Bootle man could go straight into the squad for Saturday’s game at Ingfield.

Lawson said: “We hope to get that concluded before the weekend. We spoke to him in the summer and he said he was happy where he was, but obviously things change.

“Our system can accommodate three strikers, so hopefully we can welcome him in.”

Skem picked up a second straight win at the weekend, beating Harrogate Railway 2-0, thanks to goals from Josh Hine and top-scorer Shaun Tuck – who Lawson feels are blossoming as a partnership in attack after scoring seven goals in three games together.

He said: “They’ve done well, and struck up a decent understanding.

“Josh is a quiet lad, while ‘Tucker’ is more of a character, but they are doing well together, and I look forward to seeing it develop further.”

Lawson also revealed that wide-man Paul Woolcott’s form in an unfamiliar central midfield role has given him even more selection options, as he prepares to lead his side back up the Evo-Stik League’s First Division North table.

“We had a friendly against Ashton United last week, and we used Paul in central midfield,” said Lawson.

“Paul wants to be on the ball, and he has been denied it a touch when he’s been playing out wide. So this is quite a good move for him. He has been outstanding in there in the last two league games alongside Lee Parle, so that is something we will explore further.

“He’s a great athlete who can run box to box all day long. He is like a middle distance runner in the way he goes about it.

“And we all know he is capable of playing a cutting pass.”