A TOUGH away match at second placed Harrogate ended in defeat for Kendal Ladies 1s on Saturday.

Setting off for this North West League Premier Division match with only two substitutes, the team grew even smaller after half time when goalie Sarah Dodd had to be walked off due to a knee injury.

Mel Whalley-Jones gamely volunteered to take Dodd's place, despite having never ventured in that position before, but she could not prevent Harrogate easing to a 4-0 victory.

However, it was a game of two halves as Kendal battled hard in the first period, giving away no short corners in a strong defensive performance.

And they did have one great chance as forward Zoe Dempsey had a one on one opportunity but her straight strike lacked power and the chance was missed.

But things went wrong in the second half once Harrogate went ahead in the 37th minute and just one minute later, the lead was doubled.

Defender Laura Morris, who was player of the match, put her body on the line on several occasions, but could not prevent two more goals on what became a frustrating afternoon for Kendal, who must pick themselves up for Saturday's home clash against Wilmslow, when pushback is 1pm.

Windermere Ladies 1s had to settle for a 4-4 draw at home to Pendle Forest 3s in a Lancs Central Women’s League Premier Division match.

A brace of goals by both player-of-the-Match Kitty Carr and Kitty Brownell gave them a great platform for victory but an injury to midfield dynamo Hannah Clark reduced them to just 10 players and Pendle bounced back with a well taken penalty corner and three breakaway goals to share the spoils.

Ambleside Ladies battled back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 against Cumbria League One leaders Wigton at the Cinder Ovens.

Wigton raced into that two goal lead but Ambleside began to create opportunities with Donna Robinson and Maddie Townson going close before Robinson pulled a goal back with a clinical strike just before the break.

The visitors pressed for a third but a strong and composed Ambleside defence kept them out and their work was rewarded when Lucy Dixon slipped inside the Wigton defence before placing the ball past the Wigton keeper for the leveller.

Wigton missed a late penalty as both teams searched for a winner and but an enjoyable game ended with the points shared.

Ambleside’s development team were also victorious as they defeated Keswick 3rds 3-1.

Ambleside’s first team travel to Ulverston on Saturday while the development team host Carlisle Thirds on Sunday.