Golcar United joint manager Ash Connor has heaped praise on young loan star Sam Essien and believes he has a bright future in the game. 

Essien, 19, on loan from FC Halifax Town, has added zip and guile to Golcar’s midfield and Connor can’t speak highly enough of the promising teenager. 

Connor said: “Firstly, Sam is a terrific lad with a good attitude who clearly wants to do well. Both myself and (joint boss) Gav have been really impressed with him since he joined us. He’s a good footballer who I think has a good career ahead of him. 

“Halifax wanted to get him out playing men’s football and we have given him that opportunity and he’s certainly done well here. Hopefully when he goes back there, they will extend his contract and he’ll steadily move more into the first team picture. I couldn’t speak more highly about the lad if I tried.” 

Essien has played a big part in Golcar’s march up the Northern Counties East League Premier Division table and an impressive 10-match unbeaten run.

Images of Sam Essien by: SEAN DOYLE

Connor added: “We’ve kept saying we want to finish as high as we can in the table. In our last four games we have played teams who sit in the top 10 and acquired six points so, for me, that’s not bad going.

“OK, we could have won some more but overall I was pretty pleased. The last two games were both draws and games of two halves, 3-3 against Emley and 2-2 against Knaresborough. 

“We have three more league games and it’s been a long, hard season but we’ll be looking to make the most of them and putting all our efforts in to get maximum points. We’ll then look forward to our League Cup semi-final game against Emley.”

Golcar’s game at Barton Town on Saturday (April 1) has been postponed.