THE top two teams in the Westmorland Football League will battle out the Benevolent Trophy final after comfortable semi-final victories at the weekend.

Ambleside United, reinstated to the competition at the expense of Corinthians Reserves who were believed to have fielded an ineligible player, hosted Kendal United and ran out with a 2-0 victory, while second-placed Keswick hit Staveley United for seven on their own stomping ground.

The sides have enjoyed a fierce battle in the league this season and both have won a game apiece, leaving the cup well and truly up for grabs at Parkside Road on Wednesday, April 14. Kick off 7.30pm.

Westmorland FA Competitions Benevolent Trophy, semi-final Ambleside United 2 Kendal United 0 Ambleside United progressed to the Benevolent Trophy final with a comfortable home win against Kendal United.

The home side controlled the match in the first half but couldn’t find a breakthrough, going in 0-0 at the break.

The onslaught continued in the second half and it paid off when Nick Hayton scored to put the division one leaders 1-0 up on the hour mark.

Kendal United didn’t have many chances to get back into the game, which was put to bed by the hosts with five minutes to go when Dan Fox netted.

Staveley United 1 Keswick 7 A Richard Bannister hat trick sealed another trophy cup-final appearance for Keswick at the hands of Staveley United.

Bannister gave Keswick and early lead and after 10 minutes Andy Rigg made it 2-0, but an own goal meant it was 2-1 at the break.

Keswick were firing on all cylinders after the interval though and quick goals by Bainnsiter and Mark Lamb took the score to 4-1 and all but handed the tie to the visitors.

All that was left was for Stephen Hilton to bag a brace, including a 25-yard thunderous free kick, and Bannister to complete his hat trick in the last ten minutes.

Westmorland Football League Division One Kendal Celtic 1 Carvetii United 6 Carvetii United strolled to a win on Saturday against a lacklustre Kendal Celtic side.

Scott Allison netted a hat trick and Andrew Wilkinson scored a brace to move the visitors to sixth in the league while Celtic could only manage a late consolation and remain third-bottom.

Elsewhere Shap edged a nine-goal thriller against Wetheriggs United to keep the pressure on third-plcaed Kirkoswald, who drew 1-1 at Appleby.

High Sheriff’s Cup, first round Penrith Rangers 1 Lunesdale United 0 Bottom of the league Lunesdale travelled to Penrith Rangers in the cup with a well-organised side and proved tough opposition for Rangers.

Although Rangers dominated play, it took until the 73rd minute to get the breakthrough they deserved when John Dixon headed home a Karl Jackson free kick.

They will face Carvetii United in the second round this weekend.

Division Two Endmoor KGR 0 Ibis 2 Table-topping Endmoor went down 2-0 to a strong Ibis side in difficult playing conditions on Saturday.

Both teams took time to adapt to the surface and it was Ibis who eventually made a breakthrough on 20 minutes.

An Adam Owen ball into the box fell to captain Stephen Knowles who fired home from eight yards.

And just ten minutes later it was 2-0 when Chris Ellwood dispatched a penalty.

Endmoor pressured in the second half but the visiting defence remained firm, not letting anything through and held out for the win.