Charlie Kirk is in superb goal scoring form as we get set for season opener on Saturday.

David Artell believes that the progression made by his influential winger Charlie Kirk over the last 18 months has shown that the Academy graduate has matured and is heading in the right direction.

The 21-year-old Kirk has continued his good goalscoring form from last season and taken that into pre-season with winning goals against Premier League side Burnley and Wrexham last weekend.

The Winsford-born Kirk scored 11 goals from his wide position last season and contributed double figures assists as he developed into a real match winner for the club.

The skilful wide man is expected to be another key player for the Railwaymen this season and Artell has praised Kirk’s progress as a first team regular.

David told us: “Charlie has every chance of finishing as our top goalscorer this season. He is heading in the right direction that lad. He is zooming along.

“He has come on leap and bounds over the last 18 months. He has matured on and off the pitch and we always knew that he had incredible ability coming through the Academy. It has taken him a bit of time but he is still only 21.

“It took him a long time to score his first goal at first-team level when he first went in but now he is scoring frequently for a wide player. If he doesn’t get high double figures next season for goals then that would be a failure in my eyes, because he has the ability.

“He has to keep getting in there because when he does, I am confident he will score because he has the composure and ability.

He added: “He has scored a lot of goals in pre-season and is performing really well. He has to take that into the new season and be just as influential again.

“In that respect I hope the window shuts and he stays with us.”