Lawson honour before Cup clash

Tommy Lawson is due to pick up his Evo-Stik NPL Division One North Manager of the Month Award on Saturday before Skelmersdale kick off against Clitheroe in the FA Cup.

Lawson was interviewed on BBC Radio Lancashire’s Non-League Show on Friday night to mark the honour which was made by judges from the League and sponsors Evo-Stik in recognition of Skem’s flying start to the season.

Skelmersdale’s boss was rewarded for his side's one hundred per cent start to the campaign, his team winning all three of their opening games in August, 2-0 and 3-1 in the League and 3-1 in the FA Cup.

Lawson’s side take on Clitheroe in the FA First Qualifying Round this weekend after knocking out NWCL Formby with the 3-1 away victory. Last Saturday they beat Ossett Albion 4-1, Josh Hines helping to keep their great start to the campaign going with a hat trick at their West Lancashire College Stadium.

Lawson said: "Naturally, I am delighted to get the award. But it is not just for me, it is for everyone who has worked so hard to get the season off to such a good start. The players and everyone at the club deserve the credit, too. Without them and what they have done, I wouldn’t be getting the award."

Skem's manager was honoured by the Evo-Stik NPL on Thursday alongside Ashton United's Danny Johnson and Stamford's Graham Drury who won the first managerial awards of the season for the Premier Division and First Division North respectively.

All three have seen their teams record one hundred per cent records and were voted the league’s top managers for the opening month of the campaign. Each receives a certificate recording their achievement and a personalised polo shirt and bench top from the league’s official kit supplier Errea.