Last kick agony (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Last kick agony

9:56am Friday 19th December 2008 in Sport By Gazette Sports

A GOAL from the last kick of the game sealed Ambleside United's demise in a 2-1 defeat by Wetheriggs United in the long-awaited Westmorland Sportsguard Senior Cup match between the sides on Saturday.

Ambleside had triumphed when the sides met in the league, but depleted in attack this time they resorted to a lone striker David Cooper up front and packed midfield and the tactics worked well in a goalless first half.

Wetheriggs had the bulk of possession but Grant Davidson and Phil Askins wasted chances and some solid defending kept them at bay.

The deadlock ended after an hour when Davidson's first-time effort was saved but the momentum took the ball over the line - the referee correctly awarding the goal.

An injury to Hall allowed Ambleside to push forward more and they equalised with ten minutes to go when Cooper broke through. Although his first-time effort was saved, he curled the follow-up into the net.

Cooper worked his way into another one-on-one soon afterwards, but this time keeper Wills saved.

After this tricky period, Wetheriggs went on the attack and Pete Askins' shot was deflected on to the bar and keeper Harvey Upton denied Steve Ainsworth's 20-yard drive.

Ambleside's Phil Parson cleared Jonathan Green's shot off the goal-line and extra time was looming when Grinbergs beat a defender on the left and curled a cross to the back post where substitute Matty Crossley drove a firm shot against the post.

Unfortunately for Ambleside, the ball fell to Davidson, who held off his marker and curled the ball into the top corner to spark wild celebrations.

Ambleside's co-boss Steve Edmondson said: "It was a good team effort from Ambleside and the match was played in a great spirit and was a credit to both sides."

Wetheriggs continue to lead the way in the league with a six-point gap over Carvetii United, who have played a match more.

It was unlucky 13 for Sedbergh Wanderers on their visit to Appleby, who put that number of goals past them to move up to third place going into the Christmas break.

Sedbergh were missing several senior players but sportingly declined to postpone only to find 'Jock' Nugent's side chomping at the bit to get back in action after three weeks' enforced idleness.

The combination led to a one-sided affair and the goal-scoring plaudits went to striker Shane Kay, who has just turned 18, but came of age in footballing terms with a stunning four goals on his first full first-team appearance.

Appleby went ahead from their first attack, John Coward converting the first of two successful penalty kicks and he went on to also score four times, with evergreen Neil Dean contributing a hat-trick.

Foraging full backs Gavin Sowerby and Gerard Collins also both got on the scoresheet.

Leading 7-0 at half-time, Appleby went into double figures with another six, although a weary Sedbergh conceded four in the last ten minutes.

A solo effort from Elliott gave them their well-deserved consolation effort.

Appleby boss ‘Jock’ Nugent said: "We played some awesome one-touch football in the first half, but Sedbergh were a sporting side and never resorted to foul play and took it on the chin."

Carvetii United were bitterly disappointed to concede a last-minute goal and drop points in a 2-2 draw against Coniston.

Carvetii's two wingers combined as Charles Bowman teed up Scott Allinson to volley home for a 1-0 half-time lead and then Andy Lockhart sidefooted home Dale Metcalfe's pull-back to make it 2-0.

Coniston got a goal back when the referee over-ruled his linesman on an offside decision and the visitors grabbed a draw with a breakaway that ended with a headed equaliser in the dying seconds.

Carvetii manager Malcolm Metcalfe said: "We were devastated to drop points as we want to stay close to Wetheriggs in second place, while Coniston looked as if they had won a cup final."

In the only other league game on a day of widespread postponements because of waterlogged pitches, Kirkby Thore Rangers beat Braithwaite 3-1 in Division 3.