SENIOR Challenge Cup holders Kendal County continued the defence of their title with a comfortable 7-4 win against Westmorland League Division One Side Penrith Reserves at Parkside Road.

On an afternoon when man games were postponed, County’s home surface was in good condition despite the rainfall which hit the county.

But they made the worst possible start when Jamie Pickthall gave Penrith the lead with a clinical finish from just outside the area.

However, hat tricks from Connor Walmsley and Bailey Carlos and a Pete Carradus penalty saw Kendal recover in emphatic fashion as they eased into the next round (action from the game left).

In the other County Cup games, last season’s runners up Keswick edged into the next round after they defeated Wetheriggs United 4-2.

It was all square at 2-2 after 90 minutes before Keswick prevailed with two extra time goals.

Josh Bowman and Connor Crawshaw Collins saw Endmoor KGR edge into the next round as they defeated Shap 2-1.

Appleby defeated Greystoke 6-1 with Joshua Addison Adams scoring twice, while Burneside defeated Staveley United 2-1 thanks to goals by Callum Taylor and Ryan Nightingale.

In Division Two of the James Cropper Westmorland League, Ambleside United stay after routing Appleby Reserves 4-0 with Charlie Routledge scoring twice.

Connor Winn's brace and a goal by Ben Sedgwick saw Sedbergh and Dent United Reserves win 3-2 at AFC Carlisle, while Penrith Academy defeated Keswick Reserves 5-4.

In Division Three the game between Eden United and Endmoor KGR Reserves was abandoned after 72 minutes following a serious injury to an Eden United player.

At the time Endmoor were 3-1 up with Dean Nelson scoring twice.

Braithwaite and Wetheriggs United Reserves drew 3-3, Eden Thistle saw off Sedbergh and Dent United's A team 5-0, Kirkoswald Reserves defeated Penrith Royal 3-0 while Langwathby United won 4-2 at Staveley United Reserves.

Westmorland County FA U18s started their season with a 2-0 defeat against Shropshire FA in the FA County Youth Cup.

The new look Westmorland side competed well throughout and pushed their visitors in a tight encounter at Kendal Town's ST&B Accountants Stadium (action from the game right).

In the first half chances were limited with Shropshire enjoying more of the ball but unable to create any clear cut openings.

Westmorland were strong at the back and looking increasingly dangerous on the counter attack, and as the game progressed the home side started to enjoy more of the ball.

Both teams knew the first goal would be crucial and Westmorland came close to taking the lead midway through the second half when Joe Hodgson struck a free kick from 25 yards only to be denied by a fine save.

But it was Shropshire who struck the decisive blow when they scrambled the ball home from close range with 15 minutes to go.

And as Westmorland pushed on for the equaliser Shropshire finished the game off with a smart looping header in added time.

Next up for Westmorland is another home game v Liverpool FA on Tuesday, November 12.