League award for Daisy Hill ace Shemwell
10:40am Friday 10th February 2012 in Sport By Craig Nelson
DAISY Hill centre-back Mark Shemwell has been named First Division player of the month for January by the North West Counties League.
The 24-year-old defender, who has moved from midfield to sweeper this season, played consistently well in all three of Daisy’s games during January, marshalling the defence in the 3-1 win at Formby and putting in man-of-the-match performances in the narrow defeats to Rochdale Town and title contenders Norton United.
Manager Craig Thomas said: “The award is voted for by opposition managers and it normally goes to a striker, so it’s a great achievement for Mark and shows how outstanding his performances were.
“He has adapted well to his role as a central defender and has shown great strength of character to keep the team going in a difficult month of injuries for the club.”
Thomas has signed free-scoring central midfielder John Buckley, who returns to New Sirs after a season with Trafford in the Evo-Stik League Division One North. He famously scored a first-half hat-trick in Daisy’s 5-0 victory over AFC Liverpool in the FA Vase two seasons ago.
Daisy Hill, currently in ninth, are due to host fourth-placed Irlam tomorrow.
First Division neighbours Atherton Collieries entertain Cheadle Town, NWCL Premier Division leaders Ramsbottom United travel to mid-table Alsager Town and the division’s bottom-club Atherton LR go to Winsford United.
LR have signed three young players to bolster their fight against relegation. Leeds University student Harry Brazel will boost the midfield, while Tom Axon-Smith, signed from Daisy Hill and Lance Hall, who has stepped up from the West Lancashire League, are both central defenders.
In the Evo-Stik League Division One North, Radcliffe Borough will be looking to bounce back from last week’s 5-2 defeat to Kendal Town in the semi-final of the Lancashire FA Trophy when they host third-placed Witton Albion.
All matches are subject to pitch inspections due to take place, either today or tomorrow morning.
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