Back to back defeats for Kendal Town ahead of FA Cup Preliminary Round clash

The Mintcakes went down 3-1 at home to AFC Blackpool last weekend, before suffering a 3-0 defeat to a strong Lancaster City side at Parkside Road on Tuesday evening.

Lancaster fielded a majority of their first team which included former Kendal Town players Charlie Bailey and Tom Kilifin, while Christian Sloan who had recently left Kendal, was also involved.

Kendal struggled especially in the first 15 minutes and were 1-0 down after in less than a minute when Bailey scored direct from a corner.

And Lancaster went further ahead soon after when Turner capitalised on a mistake before slotting the ball home from close range.

The visitors continued to dominate with Kilifin and Turner firing over, while Jacob Gregory’s effort from a corner was well saved by Luke Camacho

Kendal gradually improved especially later into the first half, with Emil Jaaskelainen looking more of a threat while Jamie Proctor dragged his effort wide of the post.

However the highlight of the first half came from Kendal goalkeeper Camacho, who saved a Lancaster spot kick right on the stroke of half time.

Town improved in the second half and caused more problems for City, with player/manager Chris Humphrey firing a number of clinical crosses into the penalty area which the visiting keeper did well to clear, while Jaaskelainen saw his header on goal cleared off the line.

Lancaster created opportunities of their own and scored their third after Kilifin capitalised on a mistake before rolling the ball into the net.

It came on the back of a 3-1 defeat at AFC Blackpool, with Liam Lightfoot heading in the Mintcakes solitary goal.

It wasn't the ideal preparation ahead of a return to competitive action, the first at Parkside Road for six months.

It comes in the form of an FA Cup Preliminary Round game, as Town host Bishop's Auckland, where there has to be a winner on the day.

Words by Richard Edmondson