Sparrow red card takes gilt off Town victory (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Sparrow red card takes gilt off Town victory

8:34am Friday 16th December 2005 in Sport By Dennis Aris

THREE valuable points towards Kendal Town's UniBond League First Division campaign were picked up at Ossett Albion, but they came at a price.

Midfielder Russell McKenna was red carded and in-form striker David Foster limped off injured early in the second half.

Town's first chance arrived in the second minute when Lee Ashcroft shot over the bar, but they took the lead six minutes later when Ged Smith's cross evaded everyone and dropped in to the net at the back post.

Ian Kilford shot just wide as Town continued to press, but Ossett responded with Mick Senior's cracking free-kick grazing the Town crossbar Nick Handley also headed just wide for the home side, but Kendal then began to control the game and started to press the Ossett goal with Paul Sparrow having a header cleared off the line and Peter Smith shooting just wide after great build up play from Ashcroft.

Ossett's David Syers saw a header go wide before Ian Kilford nearly finished a fine Kendal move involving Peter Smith.

Kilford then had a great effort saved by Ossett keeper Mick Clark after being put in by Foster.

Ossett Albion 1, Kendal Town 2,

Into the second half, Peter Smith went close for Kendal Town while at the other end Paul Rigby was on hand to clear off the line.

Peter Smith crossed to Lee Ashcroft at the back post but his effort was saved by Clark. Kendal Town were reduced to ten men on 70 minutes when Russell McKenna was shown a red card for dissent, but this didn't deter Kendal who pressed on for another goal.

A Ged Smith header and a great shot by Ian Kilford were both well saved while substitute Chris Ward, on for the injured Foster, was also denied in a one-on-one with the Ossett keeper Town eventually went 2-0 up on 89 minutes, Lee Ashcroft smashing the ball home after great hold up play from Chris Ward.

Deep into injury time Ossett Albion snatched a goal back as Mark Townsend scored direct from a corner.

One last piece of drama then saw the home side hit the post with the last kick of the game.

www.kendaltownfc.co.uk Man of the match:- Ian Kilford Kendal Town: Salisbury, Rigby, Roberts, Sparrow; Woodruffe, McKenna, P. Smith (Cliff from 70 minutes), Kilford, Foster (Chris Ward from 65 minutes), Ashcroft, G. Smith.