Mulvaney strike breaks blank (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Mulvaney strike breaks blank

8:35am Friday 31st August 2007 in Sport By Dennis Aris

KENDAL Town claimed their first Unibond Premier League points of the campaign with a slender victory over newly-promoted Buxton FC.

Striker Peter Wright took up a dangerous position early doors and only a poor first touch denied him a goal- scoring opportunity.

Buxton .........................0 Kendal Town.....................1.

The home side then created a chance of their own with Mark Reed's glancing header wide of target. But the hosts let an even better chance go begging when former Barrow player Steve Ridley mis- directed a far-post header with just Kendal goalkeeper Ryan Smith to beat.

A determined Wright then got the better of Buxton defender Terry Bowker only to see his goal attempt turned around the post by keeper Scott Hartley and moments later it was Wright and Hartley who were shown yellow cards by a rather controversial match official for an off-the-ball clash.

Town made the perfect start to the second half when Lee Mulvaney finished off an impressive four-man move to give his side the lead for the first time this season and they continued to press with Wright and Dene Whittal-Williams both threatening to double the advantage. How-ever, the home side came back with a spell of pressure on the hour as full back Nathan Woods was forced into an acrobatic goal-line clearance.

In a bizzare series of events at the other end, Town had three genuine penalty appeals waved away in as many minutes and there was almost a late injustice when Buxton keeper Hartley ventured forward for an added time free kick, but after winning the aerial battle, he was unable to direct his effort on goal HOW THEY RATED: Smith 6, Henry 7, Woods 7, Sparrow 6, Whittal-Williams 8, Fowler 6, Hobson 6 (Leigh 75min), Kilford 6, Ashcroft 7 (Redhead 70min), Wright 7, Mulvaney 7 (Smalley 89min). Att 386.

I STAR MAN: Dene Whittal-Williams: Highly effective in marshalling the defence.