9:30am Friday 13th May 2005
By Dennis Aris
AT THE end of an entertaining season Kendal Town came tantalisingly close to promotion as they blitzed AFC Telford United during the first half-of the play-off final. It was a performance that brought plaudits from their own loyal fans and from a broad spectrum of Telford supporters, although the fine football on the pitch was somewhat soured by some threatening behaviour on the terraces towards Town's band of supporters. If they build on this season's showing Tony Hesketh's squad must be one of the favourites for next season's UniBond League First Division title.
AFC Telford United.......2 - Kendal Town....1.
IN THE emotional cauldron of Bucks Head Stadium Kendal Town so nearly silenced the baying roar of the 4,000 diehard Telford supporters but after scoring and swarming all over their play-off-final opponents, anti-climax followed after half-time, writes Dennis Aris.
Cheered by their own travelling support of around 300 fans Town took this vital game by the scruff of the neck from the first whistle.
And Telford, who believe it is only a matter of time before they work their way back up to Conference status, appeared to have no answer.
With a strong wind at their backs, Town relied upon long well-weighted passes out of defence to cause turmoil for a Telford side outwitted by the deft skills of Lee Ashcroft, the classiest player on the park, and the speed of his fellow striker David Foster.
Nor could they contain the two Smiths, Peter on the right wing and Ged on the left, as they raced to both bye-lines and peppered the Telford box with crosses In the eighth minute Town made the breakthrough as Ashcroft broke through between the central defenders.
Keeper Steve Taylor could only punch his hard driven shot away, where Foster, racing in with his usual enthusiasm, pounced to blast it into the net.
Minutes later Foster headed narrowly over, and a wind-assisted curve on a Ged Smith corner nearly saw it creep in.
Superb inter-passing and understanding between Ashcroft and Foster then brought several more chances, which Telford did well to snuff out.
Worried by their inability to control Town's front-runners, Telford pushed forward to work the offside trap, but still Town came on with Taylor tipping over a fine effort from Ged Smith and another from Foster rattling the bar.
All these vital chances were squandered as Town threw away the chance to pile up an unassailable lead and it was not until the end of the half that Telford posed a serious threat, with Town keeper Mark Thornley making a fine diving save from Glenn Tolley's 20-yard effort.
Seconds later, Thornley was left helpless when a cross came over from the right for Roy Jordon to hammer the ball inside the left post.
Back on level terms and with wind assistance, Telford bossed the second half, but their goal in the 58th minute owed more to a moment of madness in the Kendal defence than superior play.
Inexplicably Thornley and central defender Ricky Mercer both raced to the sideline to deal with a long ball played down the Telford right flank.
Arriving together, neither took the initiative to boot it into touch and Jordon flicked the ball in field for Telford captain Sean Parrish to steer it into the empty net.
The home fans were ecstatic and Kendal were largely confined to a rearguard action up to the final whistle. Defeat condemns Town to another season in the UniBond League First Division, but if they can retain the impetus which has provided a season of high-quality football promotion can surely not be far away.
How they rated: Thornley 6; Rigby 7, Whittal-Williams 8, Mercer 6, McKenna 8; Woodruffe 8, Kilford 8; G. Smith 8, Foster 8 (Mayers 6 from 80 minutes), Ashcroft 9, P. Smith 8 (Byrne 6 from 80 minutes).
© Copyright 2001-2012 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.thewestmorlandgazette.co.uk/trade_directory/