Striker's signing sparks fresh celebrations

Teenage stiker Matty Hughes committed his future to Skelmersdale United on Friday on a week of good news for the table-topping Evo-Stik NPL First Division North club, writes Neil Leatherbarrow.

On Thursday Skem manager Tommy Lawson was named as February's divisional manager of the month for the fourth time this season and there was more welcome news for supporters after the club announced that their 19-year-old hot-shot, pictured, had signed a long term contract until June 2014 with an option for its extension.

Hughes burst onto the scene at the West Lancashire College Stadium on arrival in November from local club Golborne Town by scoring on his debut and has hardly looking back since. Lawson and assistant manager Brian Richardson snapped up the striker after watching him partner fellow Skem colleague Gary Burnett in the club's attack.

Hughes, who scored another brace on Tuesday in the 6-1 demolition of Cammell Laird, returns to action on Saturday when the league leaders host Goole AFC.