10:26am Friday 9th January 2009
By Gazette Sports
ALL the hallmarks of a classic cup-tie featured in this Unibond League Challenge Cup match, but with five minutes of normal time remaining few would have predicted a 3-2 winning scoreline after extra time.
Town had led 1-0 up to 85 minutes in the tie thanks to Lee Mulvaney’s brilliant three-minute strike, the winger having cut in from his left-sided berth to hit a rasping half volley into the top right-hand corner.
The goal marked the highlight of an otherwise quiet half of football in the fourth-round game, which had been switched to their opponents’ all-weather pitch to beat the freeze-up. Town rarely looked like scoring again, but neither did their opposition, who came closest through Gavin Salmon just two minutes after falling behind when the striker broke the offside trap and set up a one-on-one with keeper David Newnes.
The No. 9’s first touch let him down, however, and Newnes got his angles right to save with his feet on the corner of the six-yard box.
Midfielder Callum Warburton returned for Town and with Alex Taylor out, due to have his hernia operation, Kendal boss Lee Ashcroft opted for a 4-5-1 formation, as Craig Hobson played lone striker.
The formation allowed Kendal to control the middle of the park, but left chances at a premium and, despite controlling much of the first half, the visitors had to be content with their narrow lead to take into the interval.
Woodley came back out with a renewed sense of purpose that grew as the second half wore on and Kendal, despite creating several chances, failed to put the fixture to bed.
Hobson brought a good save from Ben Connett on the hour mark. The striker played a quick one-two with Mulvaney and fired low to the right, but the keeper was equal to the effort and steered the ball round the post for a corner.
Kendal looked to be doing just enough to ensure they would progress into the next round even with Woodley’s redoubled effort. Carl Osman was a constant threat to the Woodley defence whenever he got the ball and the winger’s piercing running and incisive passing was the creative force behind much of Kendal’s attacking threat.
But with four minutes remaining in normal time, Woodley’s only consistent threat, Gavin Salmon, picked up the ball inside the Kendal half and unleashed a low drive.
The ball that flew past the rooted Newnes into the bottom left to level the scores and seemingly indicate extra time.
The goal signalled the start of an eight-minute spell that would see another three goals fly in and turn a quiet encounter on its head.
Minutes after Woodley drew level good work by Hobson set up Osman for a shot just inside the Woodley box. Osman saw his effort brilliantly saved, but the ball broke to substitute Wisdom, who found Warburton in the right place at the right time to knock the ball in to restore the Town lead.
With three minutes of added time left, another comeback looked beyond Woodley as Town kept the ball in the corners. But in the home team’s final foray forward they drew level via a spectacular overhead kick from Mike Clarke.
The goal meant extra time and with the winner being decided on the night, those who had braved the freezing conditions were treated to 30 minutes of end-to-end football.
As both teams poured forward the game tipped back into Town’s favour once again as they utilised their ability to play on the counter attack. They regained the lead four minutes into the first half of extra time, with George Melling proving the hero as he connected with a long corner to send a looping header into the net.
Carl Osman hit the inside of the post and Ashcroft and Hobson both fired over from good positions. Kendal continued to play on the offensive throughout extra time and Woodley could not find a way back, leaving Town to claim a dramatic win from what was otherwise a largely inconspicuous game.
HOW THEY RATED: Newnes 7, Williams 6, Hallam 6 (Standley extra time 8, 7) Melling 7, Byrne 7, Warburton 7, Kilford 6 (Wisdom 65, 6) Cole 7, Osman 8, Mulvaney 8, (Ashcroft, 84, 6) Hobson 7. Att: 126. H Star man: Lee Mulvaney: Looked sharp and took his goal superbly.
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