Kendal Town suffer heavy pre-season defeat against Bamber Bridge

KENDAL Town lost to Bamber Bridge in their latest pre-season friendly game at the ST and B Accountants Stadium on Saturday.

Kendal, who went into the game in the back an impressive 1-0 win over Blackburn Rovers Under 23’s, were without both Charlie Bowman and Gavin Clarke, while Stuart Dixon made his debut in goal after signing for the club on Thursday.

Bamber Bridge, who were promoted into the Evo Stik at the end of last season, fielded three former Kendal Town players as Danny Forbes, Matt Dudley and Paul Dawson all made their return.

The visitors made a confident start and created their first real opening 15 minutes into the first half when Brad Carsley fired his shot wide of the post, while Ryan White’s goal bound effort was blocked by the Kendal defence.

Bamber Bridge opened the scoring after 27 minutes when James Boyd drilled the ball into the net from the edge of the penalty area.

Kendal’s best opportunities fell to Brad Carroll whose goal bound effort was cleared over from close range, while the talisman later headed over from a deep cross into the box.

Bamber Bridge made it 2-0 on the stroke of half time after the referee awarded a penalty kick before Adam Dodd stepped up and drilled the ball into the bottom corner.

Kendal pulled a goal back at the start of the second half after Carroll volleyed the ball into the net from 10 yards.

However the goal sparked the visitors into action who made it 3-1 two minutes later after White headed the ball into the net from a Carsley cross.

Kendal nearly pulled a goal back when Mark Buchan’s shot was punched clear by Bamber Bridge shot stopper Danny Roccha.

Bamber Bridge created many opportunities through Huyga Tanner, Dawson and Matt Lawler and made it 4-1 after a cross into the box was smashed into the net by Jordan Darr before Dodd scored the visitors fifth goal of the afternoon.

Matt Clarke hit the post for Kendal deep into injury time however the visitors were comfortable winners as Kendal host Marine on Saturday in the final friendly.