Westmorland League: Lunesdale edge nine-goal thriller at Sedbergh Wanderers (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Westmorland League: Lunesdale edge nine-goal thriller at Sedbergh Wanderers

7:20pm Wednesday 25th January 2012 in Football By Patrick O'Kane, Senior News/Sport Reporter

SEDBERGH Wanderers were knocked out of the Benevolent Trophy in their first match for almost two months as they crashed out 5-4 at home to Lunesdale United.

The game finally went ahead at the seventh time of asking due to multiple postponements and it proved a scrappy affair.

Lunesdale took advantage of playing with the wind in the first half and were 3-0 up after 25 minutes, capitalising on some sloppy defending and goalkeeping from Wanderers.

Andy Robson slotted home the first and Oliver Jackson scored a quick brace.

Wanderers had plenty of openings but could not find a way through until Oliver Wales powered home a stunner from 30 yards that gave the Lunesdale keeper no chance.

Wanderers had the better of the second half with the wind behind them and pulled a second back through Matt Parkin, who fired home from the edge of the box.

Lunesdale were spurred back into life though and goals from Sid Emerson and Craig Willan extended their lead to 5-2.

Wanderers were not done though and Wales claimed his hat-trick with two quick strikes which set up a tense finale, but Lunesdale held out for the win.

In division one Wetheriggs United boosted their title ambitions with a 3-1 away win at previous leaders Kirkoswald to move two points clear of their rivals.

A 4-0 win for Penrith Rangers against Endmoor KGR means that they also leapfrog Kirkoswald and are level with Wetheriggs at the top, but having played two games less.

Goals came from Dale Bowman, Dean Basak and Daniel Hurley.

Keswick ensured the second half of the season is finely poised in a four-pronged race for the title as they won 6-0 against Staveley United.

Keswick sit fourth, five points behind the top two, but with three games in hand.