WETHERIGGS United manager Mal Wilson steps aside to let Andrew Ridley take over the reins after steering the club

to a hat-trick of Talbot Insurance Westmorland League championship titles.

Wetheriggs snatched the title from long-time leaders Coniston by handing out an 8-0 thrashing to Appleby at Walker Park in their final fixture of the season on Saturday.

Wilson, who has been in charge for 13 of a 22-year association with the Penrith-based club, said: "We had lost six players from last year's title-winning side, so it was all down to hard work and a will-to-win shown by the new-look side.

"It's not been easy - we've had our fair share of injuries, left ourselves too many games to play and had to squeeze them in, but the players kept battling away and they've been a brilliant bunch."

Wetheriggs had to win their final fixture against Appleby, but knew if they did they would pip Coniston to the title on goal difference.

Dan Broadley hit them with two quick goals went on to

score six, taking his seasonal tally to 28.

Kevin Walker and Steve Hall were also on target.

Appleby's cause was not helped when keeper Paul Crawford took a knock during the first half and could not continue, forward Neil Dan taking over from him.

League President Maurice Crossley presented Wetheriggs with the League Championship trophy

Wetheriggs had two men sent off at Burneside on the previous Thursday, but still emerged 2-0 winners to stay on track for the title.

Opponents Appleby had also been in the title reckoning up to Thursday when a 2-0 reverse at Carleton finally put paid to their bid.

They still have a chance to pick silverware as they are due to meet Sedbergh Wanderers in the final of the High Sheriff's Cup at Kirkby Stephen on Monday evening.

At the bottom of the table Ambleside United's 4-3 home win over Kendal County means that Burneside will be condemned to relegation,unless Ambleside lose their final fixture at Sedbergh by more than 11 goals.

Results:

Wednesday

Division Three: Penrith Rangers 3, Ambleside Utd Res 1.

Tuesday

Division One: Appleby 4, Sedbergh Wanderers 1; Carleton Rovers 5, Shap Utd 1.

Division Four: Dent Res 3, Endmoor KGR Res 6.

Mason & Freeman Cup final: Ibis 0, Kendal Town Res 1.

Saturday

Division One: Ambleside Utd 4, Kendal County 3; Lunesdale Utd 7, Victoria SC 0; Sedbergh Wanderers 4, Staveley Utd 1; Wetheriggs Utd 8, Appleby 0.

Division Two: Ibis 6, Kendal County Res 0; Kendal Town Res 3, Penrith Res 2; Ullswater Utd 3, Wetheriggs Utd Res 2.

Division Three: Braithwaite 2, Penrith Rangers 3; Wetheriggs Utd A 7, Ambleside Utd Res 0.

Division Four: Dent Res 3, Endmoor KGR Res 6.

Thursday

Division One: Burneside 1, Wetheriggs Utd 3; Carleton Rovers 2, Appleby 0; Kendal County 1, Sedbergh Wanderers 0; Keswick 4, Shap Utd 1.

Division Two: Dent 2, Endmoor KGR 3.

Division Four: Lunesdale Utd Res 0, Penrith Rangers Res 7; Windermere SC A 2, Kendal Celtic 2.

May 9, 2003 12:30