Tommy Lawson says Skelmersdale United’s win over Guiseley was one of the best he has enjoyed

Dec 20 2012 by Neil Jones, Skelmersdale Advertiser

TOMMY LAWSON believes Skelmersdale United’s FA Trophy win over Guiseley ranks among the best of his time at the club.

Skem booked their place in the last 16 of the Trophy, and a plum tie with Luton Town, with a 2-0 win over the Blue Square North side at the West Lancashire College Stadium on Saturday.

And Lawson, whose side have, incredibly, lost just twice in 2012 so far, paid tribute to his players’ performance.

“It was up there among the best in my time at the club,” he said. “Our discipline was absolutely superb, against a very good side.

“We were patient, we defended well, and when we introduced a bit of pace later in the game, we had enough about us to go and get the win. It couldn’t have gone much better.”

The last 16 tie at Luton, scheduled for January 19, promises to be one of the biggest games in the club’s recent history. Lawson though, is not looking too far ahead, with some big league fixtures to come.

“It’s easy to get carried away, but we have other priorities before then,” he said. “It’s the biggest draw we could have hoped for, and an exciting prospect for everyone at the club, but we haven’t really discussed it with the players yet. We won’t look too far ahead.

We don’t fear anyone at the moment, you could see that against Boston and against Guiseley. There’s a great feeling within the group that we can beat teams, and that’s great for us.”

Skem continued their epic run - only Garforth Town and Tadcaster have beaten them this calendar year - with a 5-1 win over Tranmere Rovers in the Liverpool Senior Cup quarter finals on Tuesday. They face a trip to Ossett Albion this weekend, before a Boxing Day derby clash with Burscough.

“We’re looking forward to that,” Lawson said. “It’s great for the town. It’s been a long time since we had a Skem/Burscough derby, and I am sure plenty of people will be looking to get out and get a bit of fresh air after the Christmas festivities, so what better place to go than to watch a good local derby match?

“Burscough are improving. Derek has slowly but surely got them playing the way he wants, and they are hard to beat. But so are we!”

Lawson has allowed forward Mark Houghton to move to North West Counties Premier Division side Runcorn Linnets in order to get some game time.

“It’s best for us, because he needs games, and it is best for Mark, because he needs to play,” he said.

Lawson also confirmed that striker Matthew Hughes, who has scored five goals in two Senior Cup starts, was pushing for a place in his squad.

“He’s done very well, and is one we need to look at,” he added.