Bridge spoils soured by red (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Bridge spoils soured by red

11:05am Friday 24th March 2006 in Sport By Dennis Aris

HERO or villain, Lee Ashcroft is pivotal to Kendal Town's success and he displayed both sides of his character against Bamber Bridge by setting up both goals then being sent of for two ill-judged tackles, writes Dennis Aris.

In heroic mode his skillful square ball to Jed Smith in the 48th minute allowed the left winger to round the Bamber fullback, former Kendal stalwart Danny Kent, then dispatch an exquisitely angled strike across the face of the goal and just inside the right hand post.

Ten minutes later it was Ashcroft who expertly brought a long clearance from keeper James Salisbury under control before passing it inside for Paul Osbourne to fire home from 10 yards. It was a fine strike as Osbourne appeared to be falling even before he made contact with the ball.

It could have been the start of Town running up a healthy score before the biggest Tuesday night crowd of the season, but two minutes later they were reduced to ten-men as Ashcroft received his second yellow card.

In a poor challenge he kicked prone Bamber keeper Michael Bingham in a late attempt to prise away the ball that Bingham had just gathered from a Chris Ward back heel.

The seeds of Ashcroft's exit had been sown back in the first half when initially it looked as if he would get away with a warning for a clumsy challenge on defender Ross Bain. He could not resist having words with the referee, however, and a yellow card was brandished.

Kendal Town 2 - Bamber Bridge 0

It had been a lacklustre first 45 minutes where Town monopolised possession but chances were few and far between.

Last season's all or nothing approach, which frequently saw Town either scoring freely or conceding with equal abandon, is now a thing of the past.

Their tight defence gave little away, but they paid the price by creating fewer scoring opportunities.

Manager Tony Hesketh had restored Ged Smith to the wing and Paul Osbourne to midfield as they were free from suspension.

Ricky Mercer dropped from midfield to right back with Peter Smith given a start on the right wing with striker David Foster and defenders Russ McKenna and Dave Woodruffe relegated to the bench.

Although Peter Smith won his usual quota of corners by bamboozling the defence with his experienced skills, few shots were on target.

Ashcroft had Town's best chance the 29th minute. He juggled a chest-high ball into volleying position, but Bingham bravely rushed out to smother the drive from point-blank range.

It was the visitors who came closest to scoring a minute before half-time when a close-range shot from Gregg Bricknell hit the underside of the bar and spiralled away to safety.

Kendal's determination to put an end to their string of under par home performances brought a more determined start to the second half and their two goals were a fair reflection of their dominance.

After Ashcroft's dismissal manager Tony Hesketh boosted the defence by substituting McKenna for Peter Smith, and 10-man Kendal set about consolidating their two-goal advantage.

Bricknell had a couple of chances to square things up for Bridge, but skied the ball from eight yards then shot just inches wide.

David Foster, replacing the tiring Ward for the last ten minutes, was nearly a dream substitution. Within seconds of his arrival his speed took him on to a long ball between the central defenders and his first touch shot slammed into the cross bar.

A long cross from Ged Smith again put Foster clear, but as he tried to round the keeper Bingham managed to stretch out an arm and rob him.

Overall it was three crucial points for Town but the cost will only become fully clear when the length of Ashcroft's suspension is announced.

"Normally it is a one-match ban for a second yellow," said Hesketh. "But as he had a red card last month they might make it two. We hope it is not more."

"For 15 minutes just prior to his sending off I felt we were back to our old selves. We looked menacing going forward and took our goals well.

"After that we defended well and could have picked them off two or three times on the break.

"Apart from Ian Kilford, who needs one more game to recover and Paul Sparrow, who is out for the rest of the season, we have a clean bill of health in the squad for this weekend's trip to Brigg."

Next Thursday Kendal entertain Warrington Town. Mid-week match are mainly scheduled for Tuesdays, but Warrington already have a Tuesday fixture.

How they rated: Salisbury 7, Rigby 7, Whittal-Williams 8, Taylor 8, Mercer 8; G. Smith 8 (Woodruffe from 89 minutes), Cliff 7, Osbourne 7, P. Smith 7 (McKenna 7from 60 minutes); Ashcroft 7, Ward 6 (Foster 6 from 80 minutes).