8:17am Friday 12th August 2005
By Dennis Aris
KEEPER James Salisbury capped a reassuringly capable display on Tuesday night by immediately putting pen to paper to solve Kendal Town's goalkeeper crisis, writes Dennis Aris.
Stopper Mark Thornley played a key role in last year's UniBond League First Division campaign, but what appeared to be a niggling leg injury has turned into a major problem.
With the start of the league campaign only a fortnight away Thornley learned that he will have to undergo surgery to correct the problem.
Early signs show that Salisbury is, however, capable of filling the role well.
The new signing handled the ball confidently both in the air and along the ground while his mighty kick - he can punt the ball to the edge of the opponent's box - will undoubtedly be an additional attacking weapon.
Another newcomer, forward Chris Ward, was less impressive against Wearside League outfit Whitehaven Amateurs, looking out of sorts and out of touch although two of his crosses led to goals.
The first came in the 24th minute. Ward's waist-high drive across the face of goal was met by ace striker Kenny Mayers who, although not yet fully fit after lengthy injury, stretched out his left leg to toe-poke the ball into the right hand side of the net.
Whitehaven were generally limited to speculative long shots by Town's efficient back four, but in the 41st minute Craig Robson, the grandson of former Netherfield stalwart Billy Robson, who was at the match, played the ball in to striker Stephen Hewitt.
He raced into the six-yard box but Salisbury stood up well, eventually deflecting the ball to safety with his legs.
Instead, a minute before half-time, Town went 2-0 up when Ged Smith's cross from the left was passed on by Ward for right winger Peter Smith to cut in behind the defence to sidefoot in a second goal.
Yet again the understanding between right back Paul Rigby and Peter Smith, plus the latter's guile, looked to be a winning combination.
Town boss Tony Hesketh made several changes early in the second half and in the 61st minute captain Lee Ashcroft, who had another impressively sharp game, worked the ball into the Whitehaven box. He tied up three defenders before slipping the ball square to give John Osborne a simple finish from six yards.
Hard-working Whitehaven made little headway against the strong Town defence, but their persistence brought reward in the 86th minute when Robson again escaped down the left wing. His long run towards the Kendal box ended in a pass to unmarked Craig Burns, whose powerful shot from 10 yards gave Salisbury no chance.
l On Saturday Lee Ashcroft was on target twice, once from the penalty spot as Kendal Town's pre-season build up continued to impress with a 2-0 away victory at Padiham.
A penalty to the North West Counties League side was saved by Town's new keeper James Salisbury.
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