WITH injuries to key players Craig Walmsley (ankle), Gary Prosser (ankle, James Sheppard (back) Russell McKenna (virus) and defender Steve Hodgson representing the reserve side in the Westmorland Senior Cup final, Kendal Town's squad was at full stretch for the trip to Guiseley.

Town's fifth away match in six games turned out to be a solid performance, however, producing a victory and a welcome boost for the players with the Marsden Lancashire Junior Cup final just round the corner.

Final score was Guiseley 1 - Kendal Town 2.

With the worrying injury list manger Peter Smith could also draw satisfaction from the performance of midcfielder Stuart Cliff who has been sidelined for a month with a foot injury.

His contribution was a key factor in the victory as he gave the Kendal midfield the quality, which was missing in his absence.

Town striker Gareth Jones might have given Kendal the perfect start, but was unable to direct a Lee Blamire pass on target in the opening minute.

There was an element of controversy about the handball given against Cliff, which presented Guiseley with a penalty in the sixth minute. Mark Stuart converted the spot kick.

A well-orchestrated four-man move involving Cliff, Ian Simpson and Jones saw Blamire going desperately close on 27 minutes.

Five minutes later Alex Nesovic wasted a chance for Guisley when he headed full back Nathan Hay's cross over the bar.

The impressive Cliff then linked well with David Foster who was unfortunate to see his strike flash the wrong side of the upright.

Just before the interval Town's efforts were rewarded when Simpson was well-placed to turn a Cliff effort past keeper John Lamb following sterling work from Jamie Close down the right flank.

Andrew Shuttleworth had the ball in the back of the net at the start of the second half, but it was ruled out because of a foul on Town defender Phil Hodgson.

Kendal responded well and a good effort from Jones required a fine block by Lamb on 66 minutes.

Moments later Jamie Close's glancing header was cleared by a defender who appeared to be well behind then goal-line.

Home captain James Nettleton was guilty of dwelling on the ball on 75 minutes as Foster hustled him into a mistake by squaring the ball to Jones who had the simplest of

tasks to sidefoot past Lamb to make it 2-1.

Foster should have netted 10 minutes from time after being sent clear by a well-measured pass from Richard Close, but his shot was disappointingly wide.

April 11, 2003 10:00