BEN Shirley hopes the comforts of home will again prove beneficial for Askam United when they take on Hawcoat Park in tomorrow's West Lancashire League Division One derby.

A 7-3 triumph over the division's basement boys Mill Hill St Peter last Saturday made it back-to-back wins at Duddon Road for Shirley's men, with Michael Thompson and Callum Rayner netting two apiece.

But the Askam manager was most pleased to see them turn around some uncharacteristically wretched home form with only their second league win of the year on their own turf.

"We've had a few spankings ourselves, so it was good to get a good win and try to reclaim some goals back on our goal difference," said Shirley

"It's minus-15 at the moment, so it could be worth a point if we could rectify that and, more importantly, it's nice to get back-to-back home wins after winning against Croftlands Park in the Senior Cup quarter-finals two weeks earlier.

"Our home form has, frankly, been abysmal, which is very unlike us. So the biggest thing was to get back-to-back home wins."

Had things worked out as planned last summer , Shirley would not still be on the touchline at Askam, having originally intended to step down at the end of the 2016/17 season.

Despite positive talks with several candidates, no replacement could be found and Shirley remained at the helm. But while he insists it"definitely, definitely, definitely will be it" at the end of the current campaign, he is still enjoying life in charge at the club.

"I just cannot go on for another season, but I'm glad I stayed on because I enjoy my football and I enjoy being around the lads," said Shirley.

"I'm mates with everybody as well as being manager, my wife is the secretary, my three-year-old boy loves it down at Askam United and it's a real family club.

"The lads are at a good age, and I hope we can get a decent manager in over the summer who can make the club their own and take us forward."

Hawcoat go into the derby sitting just above Askam on goal difference, with fellow Furness sides GSK Ulverston Rangers and Crooklands Casuals - who clash tomorrow as well - just below them.

There is another South Cumbria showdown in Division Two as well, with Millom welcoming Furness Cavaliers.

Meanwhile, Holker Old Boys will aim to get their Macron Cup tie with AFC Liverpool played at the sixth time of asking on January 3 after Wednesday's game at Rakesmoor Lane was again postponed.

Guy Heffernan's side host Cheadle Town in North West Counties League Division One tomorrow.