Football - Two points from Easter programme (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Football - Two points from Easter programme

11:04pm Monday 28th March 2005 in Sport By Dennis Aris

Kendal dropped four points over Easter, but having held two of their main challengers for play-off places to draws, Town can be reasonably satisfied with their holiday work.

On Friday the trip to Gresley Rovers, one place below Town resulted in a 2-2 draw with all four goals coming in the first half.

Barrett opened the scoring for Gresley on 11 minutes, but the advantage was cancelled out by a Lee Ashcroft strike on 26. Barrett was on target again in the 34th minute, but Town defender Dene Whittal-Williams earned Kendal a point with a 38th-minute goal.

Yesterday ninth- placed Ossett Albion visited Parkside the goals in the 1-1 draw were netted even quicker.

Ged Smith's well-flighted corner kick was headed in by David Foster in the second minute.

Less than a minute later the UniBond League First Division top scorer Danny Toronczak raced on to a through ball to equalise. Kendal just about shaded the first half although keeper Russ McKenna did well block a close-range shot from Mick Norbury just before half-time.

In the 57th minute Norbury nearly scored again, but his header crashed against the angle and rebounded to safety.

Minutes later a through ball from David Woodruffe fell nicely for Foster, but he delayed his shot too long and a defender's boot diverted it for a corner.

Generally Kendal were producing the better football against an Ossett side which had a distinct height advantages A slick passing move between McMenemy and McKenna led to Dene Whittal-Williams getting above two of those towering defenders only for his header to go over.

Ashcroft frequently showed the ability to wreak havoc with his intelligent passing and from two of his feeds Ged Smith and Foster again went close.

Midway through the half and Ossett break out ended with a fierce low drive from Adam Fretwell forcing a fine saving block from Thornley.

Play surged back to the other end at Kendal should have won it, but the big defenders threw themselves in front of an Ahscroft strike from eight yards and Ged Smith's follow-up from the rebound.

Next action for Town is a home match with Spalding United at Parkside on Saturday, kick-off 3pm.