BARNOLDSWICK Town have appointed Richard Geoghegan as their new first team coach as they seek a fourth straight Hallmark Security League Premier Division win when they host Abbey Hey tomorrow.

Danny Craig's men were 2-0 winners at West Didsbury & Chorlton on Wednesday night with Matthew Cavanagh and Andrew Hill on target.

The upsurge in form has seen Barlick rise to 10th in the table and they have a new face in the dugout following Geoghegan's appointment.

He helped engineer Burnley Belvedere’s charge to the East Lancashire League title last season and Barlick boss Craig said: “I saw Richard coaching a couple of weeks ago with a local team and I was impressed with him.

“He is working on his coaching badges and after we had a chat it seemed a good fit for both.

“I’ve got an assistant manager and a goalkeeping coach, and I’ve been on the look out for a first team coach for a while. It also a great opportunity for Richard and we are looking forward to working with him.”

Of Barlick's recent form Craig added: "We’ve really picked it up again and the turning point came with a 4-4 draw against City of Liverpool a couple of weeks ago.

“We had to play the second half with ten men, but came away with a great point and that underlined the battling qualities we have in our side.

“We struggled for a few weeks after we went out of the FA Cup in the last minute to Albion Sports, because before then we’d been playing so well.

“That really hit us hard, but we are making decent progress now.”

Craig, who was appointed in January, guided Barlick to a respectable 11th place finish last term.

“The aim is a top six finish," he added. “If we could achieve that then it would be a very good season.

“We’ve assembled a decent squad, and I’m hopeful that we can kick on from here and climb up the table.”

In the first division tomorrow, Nelson are on the road at Chadderton while Bacup Borough entertain New Mills.