10:19pm Monday 2nd May 2005
By Dennis Aris
Willenhall Town 0, Kendal Town 1.
A single first half goal lifted Kendal another step towards the prize of UniBond League Premier Division status.
For once Kendal's defence, which has often leaked goals away from home, stood firm as the fifth-placed team overcame the home advantage of fourth-placed Willenhall in this first play-off game to boost their spot in the final against Telford next week.
Time after time goal-line clearances and solid headers broke up dangerous attacks from the speedy home forwards, with centre backs Dene Whittall-Williams and Ricky Mercer at the heart of the action.
Yet it was Kendal who made the vital breakthrough on 20 minutes.
Peter Smith hoisted a cross from the right bye-line way beyond the far post to where Ged Smith was waiting. His return lob across the goal dropped almost vertically on to the right hand post and crept over the line.
A minute later another Peter Smith cross had Willenhall in trouble as the keeper fumbled Foster's header, but the ball was smothered in a melee of players before onrushing Kendal could force it in.
For the remainder of the match Kendal produced little in attack, as Willenhall kept a tight rein on strikers Dave Foster and Lee Ashcroft, but the coach load of travelling supporters was well compensated by a fine defensive show with the effective Ian Kilford, Russ McKenna and the two Smiths always ready to chase back and help out the back four.
That being said, Willenhall's top-scorer John Quilt went close on three occasions in the second half and Kendal will probably have to move up a gear when they take on Telford in the show down for Premier Division status.
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