West Lancs: McGeechan hat-trick keeps Ambleside in title hunt (From The Westmorland Gazette)

West Lancs: McGeechan hat-trick keeps Ambleside in title hunt

11:28am Saturday 22nd October 2011 in Sport

AMBLESIDE United warmed up for their derby encounter with Corinthians by hitting bottom side Whinney Hill for eight.

Maison McGeechan scored four goals for United as they kept pace with leaders Kendal County.

Dan Robinson put United in front when he met a McGeechan cross on 10 minutes and McGeechan doubled the lead ten minutes later.

Mike Barron added a third with a fierce 25 yard shot and Whinney scored a consolation before the break.

Jamie Hastings got among the goals on 50 minutes from the penalty spot and McGeechan made it 5-1 when placing a shot to the bottom corner.

He completed his hat-trick before Whinney pulled a second goal back but Aaron Helliwell and Mike Rushton rounded off an 8-2 win.

ADAM Hornby spared Milnthorpe Corinthians’ blushes on Saturday afternoon when he saved a last minute penalty against Bolton County.

Corinthians had surged into a 3-1 lead but allowed their hosts back in at 3-3 and it was left to Hornby to save the penalty as well as a smart reaction save to the rebound to guarantee a point.

Brian Pennington put Cors ahead when he tucked his own rebounded shot under the County keeper, but County found a leveller soon after.

Adam Garnett restored the lead and Pennington grabbed his second before County pulled a goal back before the interval.

And midway through the second half County equalised to set up a dramatic finale, but the missed penalty left both sides rueing spurned chances and with a point apiece.

* A plaque will be unveiled in the clubhouse at Corinthians on Saturday in memory of former chairmen Tenny Wills and Frank Halls and a players’ reunion will be held following the game against Ambleside United. All former players are invited to attend.

KENDAL County were always in control against Furness Cavaliers and remain two points clear at the top of division two.

The visitors were restricted to breakaway opportunities and County took the lead when Ben Porter headed home a Gary Baker corner.

County doubled their lead on 70 minutes when Dan Ferguson linked up well with Peter Nicholls. Ferguson’s volley came back off the keeper but ricocheted off Ferguson and into the net as County won 2-0.