Football – Guiseley pay the penalty (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Football – Guiseley pay the penalty

10:39pm Sunday 11th April 2004 in Sport By Dennis Aris

Kendal Town 2, Guiseley 2.

Tricky striker Chris Bennett was upended twice as he jinked his way into the Guiseley penalty box and twice the efficient Russ McKenna stepped up to slam the spot kick into the bottom corner of the net.

In an exciting UniBond League First Division game at Parkside Town went behind to a sloppy in the fifth minute, the defence rooted to the spot as Mark Stuart collected a cross on the edge of the six-yard box and slammed the ball in.

Town's first penalty came on 22 minutes, but they only went in with the scores level at half-time thanks to three excellent saves by goalkeeper Lee Ward.

As the second half progressed Town produced better and better football, with debutante Nigel Taylor outstanding in the heart of the defence.

On 70 minutes Bennett seemed to have rounded the last defence, but was almost over the bye-line when he was brought down.

McKenna netted his second spot kick, but within two minutes Guiseley were back on terms when a harmless angled ball along the ground into the box took the slightest of touches from substitute David Cooke, but enough to let it roll just inside the far post.

As Town went for the winner Peter Smith raced in behind the defence to net the ball, but his effort was ruled offside. Bennett then smashed a spectacular flying volley against the bar and Dene Whittal-Williams headed just wide seconds later.

Overall a 2-2 draw was just about a fair result and it brought another welcome point for Town who have now gone three games unbeaten.