New manager Craig Dootson endured a tough first week at the head of the club as the squad conceded ten goals in two games.

Kendal Town were hit for seven by Runcorn Linnets before dumped out of the Senior Challenge Cup by Appleby.

Both performances left the new Kendal manager and the squad with work to do as they gear up for a must win home game against mid-table Newcastle Town on Saturday.

Following their win at Colne, Kendal Town travelled down to Runcorn with optimism, and for the first 30 minutes, the Mintcakes did well, while the hosts created most of the chances.

However, the game turned on the 31st minute after the referee awarded the hosts a penalty for an adjudged foul in the area.

And once Joe Lynch converted the penalty kick, Kendal crumbled in dramatic fashion after Ryan Brooke scored three goals in just five minutes as he completed one of the quickest hat tricks of the season.

Kendal’s afternoon worsened moments later when Gary Basterfield was sent off with Craig Dootsons team reduced to ten men and 4-0 down at half time.

With damage limitation the main aim for the second half, Kendal battled on a forced a save out of Jak Stewart before stopping shot from the rebound.

However, Runcorn with the one-man advantage were in relentless form after Thomas Lloyd Marsh Hughes made it 5-0 on 50 minutes before Brookes scored his fourth of the afternoon as Runcorn were 6-0 up.

And the hosts completed the scoring with just two minutes left after Oladapo Olarewaju fired the ball past McClenaghan as Kendal crashed to defeat.

On Tuesday night Kendal suffered more agony after they crashed out at the quarter final stages of The County Cup where they were stunned by James Cropper Westmorland League Division One side Appleby losing 3-1.

Kendal created some early opportunities most notably from Tom Fagan who blazed over before Appleby opened the scoring on 15 minutes when Jordan Crawford went clean through before firing the ball past the keeper.

The Mintcakes pressed for the equaliser and responded on 30 minutes after Scott Mc Donald placed the ball past the keeper.

Kendal created more chances throughout the remainder of the first half while Appleby were dangerous going forward.

With visibility becoming an increasingly big issue due to heavy fog both teams battled the conditions however with just twenty minutes left in the game Appleby were awarded a penalty kick which Dan Robinson converted as the visitors regained the lead.

Appleby were then reduced to ten men late on however despite Kendal having the one man advantage the visitors held onto secure the win.