8:30am Friday 24th April 2009
KESWICK FC have won the Senior Cup for the first time in the club’s history following a thrilling 3-2 win over Penrith Rangers after extra time.
On a sun-drenched pitch Keswick made a better start than Penrith and were rewarded for their early dominance with a succession of corners.
Keswick took the lead when a superb Hilton corner was met by Olly Davis who out jumped the Penrith defence to head home for 1-0.
Keswick continued to press forward and doubled their advantage from another corner. A delivery somehow squirmed through to the back post to find Olly Davies who steadied himself before volleying in his and Keswick’s second.
But the second half was a different story as a regrouped Penrith fought their way back into the game.
A free kick from 25-yards out was superbly converted shortly after half time by a Penrith forward.
Rangers quickly won another free kick from a wide position and the looping delivery deceived everyone to fly straight in.
Despite chances at both ends 90 minutes passed with the score still level and the game went into extra time.
Although looking the fitter Keswick couldn’t conjure up a winner and with just four minutes remaining the game looked to be heading to penalties.
But one last corner for Keswick proved to be crucial as another good Hilton delivery was met by Kirkby who head on to Andy Rigg who reacted quickest to drill the ball low and hard into the net and crown Keswick as Senior Cup champions for the first time.
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