All smiles as Tommy takes a bow

Skelmersdale's Tommy Lawson was all smiles on picking up his August Manager of the Month award and he's still smiling thanks to his side's successful runs in both the FA Cup and FA Trophy.

The Evo-Stik NPL First Divsion North's top manager for August is pictured picking up his award from League Operations Manager Alan Allcock before his side beat league rivals Clitheroe 1-0 in the FA Cup's First Qualifying Round.

Lawson's men ensured the dreaded 'Manager of the Month' curse was banished again on Saturday when they knocked Salford City out of the FA Trophy, Skem winning the Preliminary Round tie 4-2.

Stamford manager Graham Drury picked up August’s Evo-Stik NPL First Division South Manager of the Month award last Saturday. His side have also helped him avoid the ‘Manager of the Month’ curse by beating Evesham United 1-0 in the FA Trophy’s Preliminary Round and and have only lost once, a 2-0 home league defeat to Romulus, since the awards were announced at the end of last month.

The Daniels have carried on their winning ways by beating Loughborough Dynamo 2-0 away in the league before recording a 2-1 away victory at Holbeach United in the FA Cup’s First Qualifying Round.

Ashton United's Danny Johnson was voted the Premier Division’s top manager by judges from sponsors Evo-Stik. All three managers said their honours were down to the hard work and support of their clubs' players, fans and officials.

Like Lawson, both Drury and Johnson guided their sides to 100 per cent records in the opening month of the campaign. Each received a certificate recording their achievement from sponsors Evo-Stik and a personalised polo shirt and bench top from the league’s official kit supplier Errea.