UniBond: Rocester roasted - Rocester 0 Town 4 (From The Westmorland Gazette)

UniBond: Rocester roasted - Rocester 0 Town 4

8:57am Friday 15th April 2005 in Sport By Dennis Aris

RELEGATED Rocester, without a win to their name this season, could have been a "banana skin" for promotion-chasing Town, but in the event Kendal were firmly focused to effectively settle the issue before half time.

Town boss Tony Hesketh left David Foster on the bench and played bustling utility man Dene Whittal-Williams up front as a strike partner for Lee Ashcroft, but it was the wing men who caught the eye as they hit the two opening goals Ten minutes into the match Town's rising star, left-winger Ged Smith launched a curling shot from the edge of the area which gave Rocester keeper Ian Roberts no chance.

On 28 minutes it was the turn of hard-working right-winger Peter Smith who found himself unmarked at the back post and blasted the ball home for 2-0.

Five minutes later a third goal rocked Rocester as Roberts dropped the ball at the feet of Dene Whittal-Williams who smashed it into the net.

Rampant Town created more chances before half-time, but could not put any of them away.

Town went on to boss the second half and Peter Smith forced the keeper into a fine save on 48 minutes.

Roberts also foiled a driving run and shot by Ian Kilford.

Another goal was inevitable, however, and came in the 81st minute when Ricky Mercer hit a screamer from outside the area.

It was only in the dying moments that Rocester mustered a serious shot on goal, but keeper Mark Thornley dealt comfortably with Andy Bourne's effort.

Team: Thornley, Rigby (Blackwell from 78 minutes), McKenna, Woodruffe, McMenemy, Mercer, P. Smith, Kilford (Foster from 78 minutes), Whittal-Williams, Ashcroft, G. Smith.