MAL WILSON'S Wetheriggs United lifted the Benevolent Trophy for the first time in 12 years after defeating Kendal County 3-1 in Wednesday's final.

Striker Kevin Walker warmed Wetheriggs' hearts on a chilly night at Parkside with an opening goal after 17 minutes' play.

Wide midfielder Simon Gill drifted inside to collect a ball 30 metres out and threaded a weighed through pass for Walker to turn past County keeper Nicky Dent for a 1-0 lead.

Three minutes later, a neat three-man move by County left Haddrick with only keeper Andrew Colling to beat, but the ball skidded away from him on the firm pitch.

County were fully committed to the cause from start to finish but lacked their rivals' sharpness in front of goal.

Referee Peter McDonnell reduced the Kendal lads to 10 men when he dismissed midfielder Shaun Palmer for his second bookable offence in the space of five minutes, having brought down Wetheriggs defender Matt Hutton.

County could still have got on level terms five minutes later when Dan Johnson dribbled his way past three defenders and drilled over a low cross, but Lee Moffatt miskicked when the square pass came invitingly to him in front of goal.

Despite being a man down, County showed they were not a spent force in the second half and Moffatt's snap-shot in the 47th minute drew a good save from Colling low down to his left.

County had a scare when Hall teed up a goal-bound shot that was just deflected over in a crowded goalmouth, but the Kendal side came back when Johnson held off his marker but sent his shot over the crossbar.

The final swung to Wetheriggs in the 25th minute, but only after they had made a goal-line clearance of their own inside the six-yard box. Instead, play swept to the other end, where Gill put Walker clear and he slotted past Dent for his second goal and the

2-0 lead.

Once again, it was silky skillsof Gill which led to Wetheriggs' decisive third goal with 13 minutes to go.

One-touch play opened the County defence and Gill tricked his way into the heart of the box and drew the keeper before unselfishly pulling the ball back for the on-rushing Hall to bundle into the empty net.

Two minutes into stoppage time hard-working County earned a consolation for their efforts when a Wetheriggs hand came up to meet Dave Chamber' corner and Timmy Tomlinson tucked away the penalty.

April 11, 2003 10:00