We’re not on same level as top teams says Tom
SKELMERSDALE United suffered heavy defeats this week as they conceded eight goals in two games.
Tommy Lawson’s side are still going through a major transitional period after the club reverted to amateur status and results have been hard to come by.
Skem were unable to bounce back from a 4-0 defeat against Stourbridge on Saturday when they were beaten 4-1 by Blyth Spartans on Tuesday evening.
However, the manager admitted his team were playing clubs who are expected to challenge for the title this season and he was not expecting to pick up points against tough opposition.
“I still think it’s still early days. We’ve had a cruel set of fixtures considering we’re in transition,” said Lawson.
“The champions will come out of this block [of fixture] and the others have got a great chance of being in the play-offs.
“We’re not at that level yet. Whether we will be with these current players is debateable anyway.
“We’re asking these youngsters to beat these more mature teams and at this moment in time, that is a lot.
“Our lads never gave up though and they grafted until the end in difficult circumstances. We played two quality sides.”
“We’re being asked to challenge the best in the league and it’s very difficult.”
Lawson hopes the young players at Skelmersdale will take the opportunity to play at a higher level as a very positive experience.
He was also impressed by their work ethic and drive not to give in and Lawson admitted that will be a hugely valuable trait going forward.
“The lads will gain so much experience from it.
“It’s very difficult to take it on board as a supporter, they have been great though and they realise what the club has been through,” said Lawson.
“When we played Stourbridge they took an early lead but then we matched them in the second half and came out with a lot of credibility.
“It was a little bit similar against Blyth Spartans. We had a couple of good chances and were unfortunate not to get a couple of penalties in the first half.
“Those decisions tend not to go your way when you’re struggling but that’s just football and these things happen.
“In the second half we didn’t give up and we battled with them. That’s the positive and the learning curve.
“The big winners are these young boys who are getting opportunities to play against good teams at a high standard. For them it’s very good.”
Skelmersdale are back in action on Saturday and though they were boosted by the return of captain Kenny Strickland last week, they will still be without a number of key players on Saturday.
Lawson’s side will travel to take on Warrington Town but they will be without their main goal-scorer Jack Watts and key first teamer Dylan Smith.
“We’ve been deprived of our captain but Kenny Strickland is back now and that helped but we lost Jack Watts through suspension and we will lose Dylan Smith on Saturday through suspension too,” said Lawson.
“We can’t settle the starting XI until we have players available.
“After that, they will come back into contention.
“I haven’t been able to stabilise it yet.
“It’s been difficult to pick my best players but hopefully we can get them all available soon.”