Kendal Continue Fine Home Run

[Guest]

Saturday 4th December 2004

Unibond Division One

KENDAL TOWN 2 vs WILLENHALL TOWN 1

 

It must have felt like they had been handed a poisoned chalice, after the Reds were awarded the Division One Team of the Month award for November then slipped to defeat on their long trip to the lakes.

The opening minutes saw the Reds dominate and a win looked likely in the cold, sparse surroundings of Parkside Road.

However it was the team with the best home record of the division, who were to show why they have won 6, drew 2 and only lost one of their home league games. With their first attack of the game they capitalised on some slack defending and from a corner Foster scored from close range on 8 minutes.

The Reds packed the midfield and played Hay as a lone striker, playing the ball to him on every occasion. The Reds continued to press but couldn’t break down the sturdy defence.

The visitors best chance came on 25 minutes, some super play by McGhee and Colwell saw Myers volley the ball, only a superb save by in form Thornley denied a certain equaliser.

Disaster struck for the Reds with just a couple of minutes remaining of the half, Taylor unleashed a powerful shot from 40 yards out which was as sweet as the local mint cake, to make it two nil.

With the lone striker plan not reaping rewards a much-needed change of tactics was needed and for the second half, with the Reds playing down the considerable slope, Quilt was brought on for his final game before the start of another suspension for the big striker.

On 62 minutes Colwell saw his 25 low shot go just wide, before the Reds got a deserved goal on 65 minutes. A Colcombe shot was blocked, the rebound fell to Myers who blasted the ball home to make it 2-1.

Only several great saves by both keepers, and a handful of missed chances prevented more goals in this hotly contested game, which provided good entertainment for any neutrals in the 181 attendance. However, it was the below par performance by the Reds which sent the hard core of loyal members of the Red Army home disappointed.

Reds line up; Vaughan, Colwell, Whitcombe, Slater, Creighton, Thomas, McGhee, Myers, Hay, Webb, Colcombe. Subs Quilt (for Webb), Rowe (Whitcombe) & Edwards (McGhee)

The Reds face another tough test at Noose Lane on Tuesday when Kidsgrove are the visitors.

The following Saturday sees what can only be described as a potentional explosive game when Stocksbridge Park Steels are the visitors; the Reds will be looking to avenge their controversial defeat in the corresponding away fixture.

[Drummer Scott]

Brilliant reports. Sounded like a good game