Kendal hoping to lighten injury load for FA Cup tie with Witton today (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Kendal hoping to lighten injury load for FA Cup tie with Witton today

9:00am Saturday 22nd September 2012 in Sport By Scott Kirk, Reporter

INJURY-plagued Kendal Town are hoping to welcome back three first team players for their huge FA Cup Second Qualifying Round match against Witton Albion today (Saturday).

Goalkeeper Craig Dootson is pushing for a start after completing his three-match suspension for being sent off in the 2-2 draw with AFC Fylde on August 25.

Danny Williams, who limped off in Saturday’s defeat to North Ferriby United, still has a swollen ankle but manager Lee Ashcroft is hopeful he can put him in his squad for the Witton Albion tie, while Rory Winters had a hamstring strain but he could start if he responds well to treatment this week.

Jordan Tucker is still out with his ankle injury but Ashcroft thinks he could be fit when Town re-start their Evo-Stik Premier League campaign at Hednesford Town on October 6, with Town in FA Cup action this Saturday and travelling to Evo-Stik First Division North side Cammell Laird on September 29.

But centre back Jack Duggan and pacy striker Josh Kenworthy will be out of action for ‘at least eight weeks’ according to Ashcroft after they were hospitalised in the FA Cup First Qualifying Round Replay against Dunston UTS on September 12.

Ashcroft said the players were ‘feeling sorry for themselves’ on Saturday after the spate of injuries, a key reason why their performance was so poor in the 4-2 defeat to North Ferriby United.

But he was delighted with the response on Tuesday night as they dusted themselves off and came away from Crosby with a hard-fought point against a Marine team unbeaten in the league this year.

“I thought we were first class and if we show that determination then a win is around the corner.

“We were rubbish on Saturday but I think that was a one-off and the workrate on Tuesday night was superb - it was the reaction I wanted to see.”

Ashcroft handed a debut to right back Naim El-Harrati after he played well in Kendal Town Reserves 3-2 defeat to Colne Reserves on Monday, and Ashcroft was pleased that he carried that performance through to the first team with an assured display against Marine.

Town, who stand to gain £4,500 if they get past Witton Albion at Parkside Road today, have signed two more players.

Simon Wills, the midfielder who started both matches this week, has signed from Lancaster City, while six foot five striker Sefton Gonzales has also signed on the dotted line from Bamber Bridge and he came off the bench for the last seven minutes against Marine on Tuesday night.

Both players are cup-tied for the Witton Albion game.