A FINE display saw Kendal Men's 1s build on last week's big win over Ormskirk as they saw off old foes Rochdale.
And the deserved 5-2 victory sees the Greens pull ahead of their opponents in the North West Division One North table.
Kendal controlled the game from the off and Gordon Blunt set the tone for the home side with a marauding run down the right flank, penetrating the Rochdale back line with ease.
Blunt offloaded to John Stanworth whose through ball fell to Stephen Olliver and he applied a calm finish to open the scoring.
Kendal continued to apply pressure and following good work from the front line of Jim Marsten, Noah Ross and Alex Hyman, the ball fell to captain Aaron Screen who finished from close range to make it 2-0.
The Greens were now full of confidence, and with Liam Platt in his new defensive role working well with the ever strong Simon Millington and Chris Woodman, they were tiring the Rochdale side out with pass after pass.
It was a surprise when the visitors broke away and pulled a goal back via a tap in at the back post, but they soon restored their two goal advantage with a slick passing move between Mark Addison, John Stanworth and Nick Davis, Davis crashing a long ball into the D and Noah Ross applying a deft touch to deflect the ball past the sprawling keeper.
But Rochdale did not lie down and the Greens had to thank keeper Rob Cartwright for preserving their two goal lead at the break as he produced a brilliant double save from point blank range.
The visitors came out of the blocks quickly after the break and capitalised on a defensive mix up to reduce the deficit with a hot from a tight angle.
And moments later they almost levelled when they were given a penalty flick and hit the post, although keeper Cartwright looked to have it covered.
Kendal steadied the ship and began to dominate again with free flowing counter attacking hockey, and Stanworth extended their lead with a fierce drag flick from a penalty corner.
Man of the match Cartwright continued to make some stunning last gasp saves but Kendal then rounded off the win in style with a devastating attack down the left flank which saw Ross slam a ball to the back post and Screen dived in to apply the finishing touch and complete the scoring.
The win puts the Greens in good heart for next week's six pointer against Liverpool University.
A dramatic comeback saw Windermere Men's 1s recover from 2-5 down with 11 minutes remaining to draw 5-5 with unbeaten North 2 West leaders Brooklands MU 3s.
Brooklands opened the scoring after three minutes but Josh Bellis then levelled after good work by man of the match Sam Whitehead only for Brooklands to score again before half time.
The visitors then went 4-1 up before Will Dolman began the revival with a penalty corner drag flick.
When Brooklands bagged a fifth goal it really did look like game over until Whitehead won a penalty stroke which was converted by Dolman and a late brace of Archie Dalzell goals completed an unlikely late comeback.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here