BEN Wharton’s hat trick helped condemn Kendal Town to a 4-0 home defeat to promotion-chasing Radcliffe FC.

Kendal were 2-0 down within the first 15 minutes after Wharton scored from the penalty spot and Scott Metcalfe’s unstoppable strike curled into the top right hand corner of the net.

The visitors continued to control the game and Wharton’s brace midway through the second half rounded off a routine win.

Kendal played with plenty effort but remain four points adrift of safety.

After heavy and persistent rain had initially put the game in doubt there was an early morning pitch inspection and the game was given the go ahead by the match official.

Radcliffe should have scored after just two minutes when Kingsley Williams smashed his effort towards goal.

However, the visitors opened the scoring on four minutes when Ben Wharton converted a penalty after Scott Metcalfe was fouled in the box by Ryan Moore.

Kendal regularly gave the ball away and struggled to create any real opportunity on goal, while Radcliffe, who were caught off side on numerous occasions, controlled the game and created further opportunities through Matt Crothers.

Radcliffe continued to press before going 2-0 up on 14 minutes when Scott Metcalfe's left footed effort from distance curled into the top right hand corner of the net. Metcalfe found time and space before unleashing a scintillating effort past Mendez in the Kendal goal.

The visitors should have scored more goals, with Wharton chipping the ball over the bar, while Prince Haywood saw his goal-bound effort cleared off the line.

Kendal were restricted to one deep free kick by Aaron Helliwell, which was comfortably gathered by Martin Oliver.

Radcliffe managed the game during the second half while Williams tested Mendez, before Crothers blazed over.

However, Wharton completed his hat trick after scoring two in quick succession. The talisman made it 3-0 on 66 minutes when he rounded Mendez to score, before Wharton scored his third and Radcliffe’s fourth goal on 73 with another well-worked move.

Radcliffe saw out the game and the defeat leaves Kendal four points adrift.

On Saturday they travel to play promotion-chasing Runcorn Linnets.

Kendal Town Team line up:

Jao Mendez, Matt Thomson, Perry Duggan (Rhys Long 63), Jordan Tucker, Callum Fawcett, Cory Vickers, Aaron Helliwell ( Alex Bateson 73), Aidan Pearson (Mark Jackson 70), Kyle Delves, Sope Awe, Ryan Moore

Substitutes:

Alex Bateson, Rhys Long, Mark Jackson, Daniel Towers