Last updated at 16:17, Friday, 30 November 2012

CHAIRMAN Robbie Braithwaite has been delighted with Askam United’s performances of late.

FULL OF GOALS: Askam’s Kyle Jefferson has netted nine times for the club this season

After a run of poor form which saw them lose twice and draw one, Askam bounced back with two cracking results.

The villagers are riding high in West Lancs Division Two and the club chairman has already got one eye on promotion.

“We want to be up there challenging,” he said.

The secret behind the success, he believes, is the fact that a group of the players have matured together over the year, with Askam now reaping the fruits of their labour.

That, coupled with the hard work put in by manager Neil Park, sees Askam now sitting fourth in the table.

After their 11-2 thrashing of rivals Walney Island and a great 1-0 win at Whinney Hill, Askam will be looking to complete a league double over tomorrow’s visitors Ladybridge.

Park’s men scored a 2-1 victory on their visit to Ladybridge in September, but Braithwaite doesn’t feel that result reflected the dominance his side enjoyed in the game.

“We played well that day. We created chance after chance but we didn’t put enough away,” said Braithwaite.

Askam found themselves without a game last week, but Braithwaite said of their win over Whinney Hill: “We needed it. I know we had that good win against Walney, but our form had been dipping badly last month so those two results have just perked us up a little bit.”

While Braithwaite gave plaudits to his side, he would like to see the team tighten up in defence.

“I think we have only had two clean sheets all season, that tells its own story,” he added.

Askam are the league’s highest scorers, having rattled in 45 so far this campaign.

Both Callum Rayner and Kyle Jefferson have each found the net on nine occasions, with Kevin Edwards just two goals behind.

Askam’s latest victims are at home to GSK Ulverston Rangers with the visitors hoping to return to winning ways after losing a close contest 1-0 at Kendal County.

Barrow Wanderers are also on their travels and go to high-riding Bolton County.

Meanwhile Walney Island take a break from league action, hoping the weather will smile kindly upon them as they face Croston Sports in round one of the Challenge Cup, with the tie having previously been postponed.

Walney will be going into the match with some confidence after their recent 5-1 victory over Milnthorpe Corinthians, with Jordan Brough again on target with a hat-trick, bringing his tally for the season so far to 14.

In Division One, Hawcoat Park entertain Haslingden St Mary’s, while Millom will be hoping to find their second league win of the season, but face a tough fixture at Hesketh Bank.

Furness Rovers, winners of a dramatic shootout against Dalton United last week to move into the second round of the Presidents Cup, are back in league action and travel to second-placed Wyre Villa.

Crooklands Casuals and Vickerstown take a rest from Premier Division action tomorrow with both teams featuring in round one of the Richardson Cup.

Cassies defeated 3-0 at Coppull United in the league last week, and travel to fifth-placed Fleetwood Hesketh with Vickerstown entertaining mid-table rivals Euxton Villa.

Holker Old Boys progressed to the second round of the North West Counties First Division Trophy after a 3-1 win over Irlam last week, with goals from Danny Keenan, Mike Kewley and Guy Heffernan.

They return to league action tomorrow looking to score their fifth league victory when they entertain Daisy Hill, who sit on the bottom rung of the table, at Rakesmoor Lane.

First published at 16:12, Friday, 30 November 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk