Kendal County face title decider

8:43am Friday 9th May 2008

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WESTMORLAND FOOTBALL: Kendal County go into their final league match of the season knowing that they must not lose to become First Division champions in the Talbot Insurance Westmorland League.

County travel to play their old rivals Wetheriggs United, who are destined for third spot after seeing their title challenge fall away during the past fortnight in the hectic round of fixtures.

Ambleside United have set up the knife-edge finish to the championship race by displacing County at the top of the table on Tuesday with an 8-3 win away at Keswick in their last game.

Ambleside's Zach Clark notched a hat-trick as Ambleside initially struggled to shake off their opponents, who equalised twice before Ambleside turned round with a 3-2 lead thanks to strikes from Clark, Dave Ramsey and Jamie Parkinson.

Another goal from Clark and a Phil Gavin penalty after the break made it 5-3 and although Keswick scored a third time, Ambleside went on to find the net three times more without reply as Clark and Parkinson were on target before Nick Hayton served up the goal of the game - a 20-yard volley into the top corner.

Ambleside's victory leaves them level on points with County with a superior goal difference of plus-eight.

Ambleside manager Steve Edmondson said: We have done our job by putting the pressure on County for their final match.

"They have to go to Wether-iggs and not lose to take the title and knowing those opponents I'm sure they will be going all out to win the game to make it a fair and fitting end to the season.

"Ambleside have broken through to compete with the top two and it's a credit to all of the players.

We've had some horrific injuries at a crucial stage but other lads have come into the side and done well."

There was disappointment for Kendal County when Appleby beat them 2-0 after extra time to win the High Sheriff's Cup at Penrith on Tuesday evening.

Appleby looked the better side overall in the 90 minutes, but County rallied strongly as the final drifted into extra time.

Jimmy Ellwood had a chance to win it when he weaved into the 18-yard box, but his shot hit the post.

Instead with 12 minutes to go John Coward's long ball found Neil Dean and he skilfully brought the ball down and sidefooted past Dent on the turn.

Two minutes later, Coward was brought down in the penalty box and got up to convert the spot kick and the result was settled.

Appleby boss 'Jock' Nugent said: "We have a lot of good players at Appleby and we showed self-belief in the final to get our reward."

Captain Paul Crawford picked up the trophy from Mike Fishwick of the league sponsors Talbot Insurance.

Appleby Reserves made it a cup-winning double for the club and joint managers Roger Thompson and David Potts with a 2-0 win over Endmoor KGR in the Peter Daws Memorial Shield final at Kirkby Stephen on Wednesday.

The all-important goals came from Scott Forrester and Phillip Little.