It's a festive tradition of mine to head to a local football match just after Christmas.

This year was no exception so, on December 27, I walked to Parkside Road to watch Kendal Town FC take on league high-fliers Workington Reds.

As we approached the stadium it was good to see groups of people all heading in the same direction and noise from those already assembled coming from the ground.

Inside it was clear this was going to be a larger crowd than usual and that was borne out when the attendance of 705 was announced - a much higher number of people than usually watch Kendal Town play.

Admittedly a sizeable proportion had travelled from Cumbria's west coast and it was some of those fans who were making the most noise.

But the atmosphere was great and, for the home fans, it got even better when, less than two minutes into the game, Scott McDonald scored for the Mintcakes.

The home players ran in jubilation to congratulate him and goalkeeper James McCleneghan showed his joy by sprinting out of his own goalmouth.

Town have been struggling with results this year but the players' reaction highlighted the club's drive, commitment and passion to turn things around.

Workington, who were lying second in the league at the start of the day, equalised soon afterwards but Kendal players' heads did not go down and they battled hard to reach half-time with the score level.

In the second half Workington dominated and it was no surprise when they took the lead and then scored a third before the end.

But Kendal can be proud of their performance and, perhaps buoyed by it, they travelled to mid-table Colne on New Year's Day and secured a 1-0 victory.

A town always seems more vibrant when its sporting teams are doing well.

Kendal Town FC have been through some challenging times in recent years and it would be great to see even more local people showing their support by attending games at Parkside Road.