Midfielders hit headlines (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Midfielders hit headlines

9:32am Friday 7th April 2006

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MANAGER Tony Hesketh's public call for more goals from his midfielders was answered in full measure on Saturday, writes Dennis Aris.

"Your article in the Gazette worked wonders," said Hesketh.

Belper Town 3 - Kendal Town 4

"I complained that the midfield had not scored enough goals and lo and behold four went in at Belper all from midfield.

"I thought that was quite incredible."

The Kendal Town boss was full of praise for his squad, who took all six available points from two matches, both played in atrocious conditions.

"Playing Belper away on Saturday on a difficult pitch less than 48 hours after beating Warrington in very trying conditions was a super-human effort from the players," he said.

"We started slowly and hoped that the opposition would not take advantage. Unfortunately they did and at 2-0 down it seemed like a mountain to climb, but my players have never ceased to amaze me this season in the face of adversity and they overcame it.

"To win it in the last minute speaks volumes for the lads and augurs well for the last seven games."

Elsewhere, a draw between challengers Woodley Sports and Fleetwood Town on Tuesday night was a huge boost to Town's campaign.

It enabled second-placed Kendal to open up a two-point cushion over third-placed Fleetwood.

Fourth-placed Woodley, three points behind have one game in hand.

"The draw between Woodley and Fleetwood was an excellent result for us and we are now in with a good chance, but nobody is going to win them all in this final run-in," said Hesketh.

Now Town are about to enter a 10-day period which could decide whether they gain automatic promotion to the UniBond League Premier Division.

Tomorrow (Saturday) they travel to Kidsgrove Athletic. Then on Tuesday evening Gresley Rovers, who are not yet out of the play-offs picture, are the visitors to Town's Planet Conservatories Stadium, Parkside Road.

Good Friday brings another home fixture against Bridlington Town, followed by a difficult Easter Monday trip to Wales to play sixth-placed Colwyn Bay.

"These are the sort of little runs which can make or break your season at this stage," said Hesketh.

"So we are looking for a last big push from everybody. We are good enough to do it and it is up to then players to go out and prove it. They know what is required."

For the first two of those matches Hesketh is without captain and top goalscorer Lee Ashcroft and strong central defender Nigel Taylor, who are both suspended.

"Craig Redhead might come in at the back," said Hesekth. "He is a left-sided player we signed some time ago.

"Alternatively, Dave Woodruffe could come in to the back four with Ricky Mercer moving up to centre half."

Town's final three matches are away to Spalding United on Saturday April 22; away to Stocksbridge Park Steels on April 25 and home to Shepshed Dynamo on April 29. The Stocksbridge date may change again, however, as Steels have 10 games to fit in before the end of April.

Ged's night LEFT-winger Ged Smith boosted Kendal Town's automatic promotion chances with an injury time winner at Belper's Christchurch Meadow, on Saturday.

The home side had looked capable of sealing victory early doors when they raced to a swift two-goal lead.

Captain Danny Hudson slotted home the opener on five minutes following a raid down the left.

His goal was so nearly cancelled out a minute later, but home keeper Andy Carney did well to turn away a 35-yard volley from Kendal central defender Nigel Taylor.

Kendal's worrying inability to defend setpieces saw them fall further behind on 12 minutes, central defender Danny Bostock ring to direct an unstoppable header past goalkeeper James Salisbury.

There were more anxious moments for Town and they were fortunate not to concede a third goal when Belper's one-loan midfielder Russ Hannah shot against the post.

The comeback began on 17 minutes when striker David Foster slipped the ball into the path of midfielder Paul Osbourne, who placed a low shot beyond Carney.

Midfielder Stuart Cliff, handed the captaincy in the absence of lee Ashcroft, swooped to equalise in first half injury time, converting Ged Smith's accurate inswinging left-wing cross.

Man of the match Smith then put Kendal ahead in the 52nd minute with a clinical volley, while Foster almost produced the perfect finish to fine passing move minutes later, but his header hit the crossbar.

Hudson levelled the scores at 3-3 on 66 minutes with a curling free-kick and the same player then saw another effort hit the underside of the crossbar seconds later.

With time running out, substitute Peter Smith sent over a deep cross from the right for Ged Smith to conjure up a looping header.

The ball dropped over Carney and into the net for a late winner, much to the immense delight and relief of Kendal's travelling supporters.

How they rated: Salisbury 6; Rigby 6, Whittal-Williams 6, Taylor 5, Mercer 6; Osbourne 7, Cliff 7 (sub P. Smith 6 from 80 minutes), Kilford 7 (McKenna 6 from 73 minutes); Ward 7, Foster 7.

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