Football - Witton visit on Tuesday will inform (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Football - Witton visit on Tuesday will inform

12:11pm Saturday 25th October 2008 in Sport By Gazette Sports

KENDAL Town's FA Trophy campaign ended as Stamford made the most of Town's misfiring attack to win 3-0. writes Arran Jolly.

Kendal have rarely been so generous in-front of opposition goal with two missed penalties summing up a day that Lee Ashcroft's men will want to forget.

While the sight of two spot-kicks going astray of target must be a niggling concern for Ashcroft, the very fact that the result came in a cup competition makes it a whole lot easier to forget about.

Kendal's unflinching league form has seen them go nine matches unbeaten, their last defeat coming at Nantwich at the end of August. Tomorrow Kendal go looking for a fifth away league win on the bounce against a “managerless” Matlock Town.

Matlock parted company with their management team of Phil Brown and Gareth Williams on Tuesday night, and although their mid-table position of 13th puts something of a buffer between them and relegation places only bottom-placed Cammell Laird have conceded more goals and their defence is sure to be put to the test against a Kendal counter attack becoming league renowned.

Witton Albion, another team with a poor goal difference, will be making the trip to the Lakeland Radio Stadium, Parkside Road (7.45pm kick-off), this coming Tuesday night as fourth-placed Town look to cut back the current six-point gap to Unibond League leaders Hednesford United.

Stamford 3.

Kendal Town 0.

IF A side misses two penalties in one game, they can usually expect to be put to the sword.

This was the case for Kendal Town as they crashed out of the FA Trophy at Unibond One South side Stamford AFC.

It should have been a very different story as Town dominated the first half.

An early shot from Michael Cole was well saved by Stamford keeper Martin Davies and Paul Byrne had his free kick headed over the bar by the home defence.

A long punt downfield by Town keeper David Newnes almost put Alex Taylor through on goal, but Davies was alert enough to clear the danger, and Kendal went close with further efforts from Lee Mulvaney and Cole.

Instead, against the run of play Stamford scored with their first chance when Tyrone Kirk delivered a perfect free kick into the box and Ross Watson rose above his marker to power in an unstoppable header on 28 minutes.

Town stormed back and Osman saw a shot blocked on the line and another effort flew just over the bar as the keeper closed him down.

When Alex Taylor was brought down on 40 minutes, it looked as if Kendal’s chance to get back on level terms had at last arrived. But the usually reliable spot-kick taker Cole had his shot saved and then screwed a follow-up effort wide.

Kendal were made to pay two minutes later as Stamford went further ahead as a great run by the tireless Phil Stebbing set up Kirk, who cut inside and drilled a low shot across Newnes into the far corner.

Kendal’s chances of getting back into the tie were dealt a harsh blow on 56 minutes when full back Jimmy Williams was shown a straight red card for a foul on Stamford’s Dominic Hallows. After Byrne shot into the side-netting, Kendal faced a mountain to climb after 58 minutes when Stebbing worked his way along the byeline before crossing for Cotton to slide in and Stamford’s third goal.

The afternoon got even worse for Kendal Town as assistant manager Ian Kilford was red- carded for a comment from the sideline.

Kendal were awarded their second penalty of the afternoon on 80 minutes when Stamford keeper Davies felled Taylor in the area.

This time Craig Hobson stepped up, but the outcome was the same as the ball went way over the bar. All in all, a very frustrating afternoon for Town.

H Star man – Michael Cole: kept pushing hard in midfield to generate chances.

HOW THEY RATED: Newnes 7, Williams 7, Byrne (capt) 7, Wordsworth 7, Melling 7, Warburton 7, Osman 7 (Hallam 62min, 6), Ashcroft 6 (Hobson 46min, 6), Taylor 6, Cole 8, Mulvaney 7 (Standley 62min, 6). Subs (unused): Kilford, Standley, Wisdom. Att:210 n Kendal Town are holding a general knowledge quiz night at The Park tonight (Friday), starting at 8pm. It is £10 for a team of four and includes a pie-and-pea supper. Trophies will be awarded to the winners.