DAVID Foster's return to Kirkby Lonsdale has sparked a major revival after the club's indifferent start to the season.
Kirkby still had to pull out all the stops to beat favourites Slyne-Hest 2-0 in the second round of the Sam Price Cup, but Foster was the difference between the two sides.
Kirkby took the lead after 10 minutes through Gary Hartley's left-footed drive from 25 yards then three outstanding saves from Kirkby keeper, Rick Carter, maintained his side's slender lead at half-time.
In the second-half, Kirkby showed tenacity and team spirit and from one of their many counter-attacks Foster spotted the keeper off his line and lobbed the ball into the net. Slyne battled to the end but Kirkby's solid defence held out to set up a semi-final clash with Boys' Club.
In the North Lancashire League Premier Division Cartmel bounced back to winning ways after four matches without a win by beating Morecambe Royals 2-0. Michael Huittson caused the Royals defence most problems with his pace down the right wing. The breakthrough came after 22 minutes following good work by midfield dynamo Craig Davidson, whose cross from the left wing was headed goalwards by Paul Airey. The downwards header was weak, but deceived the Royals keeper. Royals bounced back to create chances but poor finishing let them down.
Cartmel settled the game in the 78th minute when an attack down the left wing pulled Royals out of position and a fine 30-yard crossfield pass by Craig Davidson found Dean Walker in space and a brilliant 30-yard shot found the back of the net. The win keeps Cartmel in second place. Marsh United moved into third place by emerging 2-1 victors from a classic game with Ingleton.
The match was played in good spirit with excellent football from both sides. An opening goal by Craig Heywood was cancelled out by a disastrous own goal by the Marsh keeper and the points looked destined to be shared until Danny Hunt grabbed a 92nd-minute winner.
Bottom club Arnside put up a good fight against Squires before losing 3-1. Experience won the day for Squires, but Colin Wilkie scored the Arnside consolation.
In Division One, workmanlike Burton Thistle quickly opened up a 1-0 lead over Marsh United Reserves through Mark Smith and it looked as if the floodgates would open. The Marsh keeper made a string of superb saves, however, and his side battled back and scored a late equaliser to share the points.
Cartmel Reserves thought they had their game with Millhead won when Rob Snaith scored late in the second half, but they dropped two points when an 88th- minute penalty allowed the visitors to equalise.
Ingleton Reserves and City Contract Services, two teams in danger of being dragged into the relegation zone, served up a brilliant attacking game which ended in a 1-1 draw. Terry Joel put Ingleton ahead with Jimmy Suthers equalising for CCS.
Allithwaite Rangers' poor season continued with a 3-0 defeat by title-chasing Vine, whose football was generally crisper and faster than Allithwaite's.
John Rattigan scored a hat-trick inside five minutes for Swarthmoor Social Club in Division Two and had a dream game as he went on to score two more and miss several easier chances in a 5-0 victory over Arnside Reserves. Swarthmoor remain the only undefeated side in the league.
Bentham boosted their promotion hopes with a 9-1 thrashing of Caton United Reserves. Goalscorers were Rob Park, Eric O'Hare, Ben Dawson, David Knapp, Tim Whieldon, Gary Louth (2) and Chris Hodgkinson (2).
Holme Athletic are slowly climbing the table after a poor start and they beat bottom club AFC Moorlands 3-1 with goals by Stuart Lord (2) and Stuart Hunter.
In Division Three, Burton Thistle Reserves had no answer to Boys Club Reserves and lost 5-1, Chis Morrow hitting the consolation goal.
Kirkby Lonsdale Rangers lost 4-2 to Torrisholme Reserves, Kirkby scoring through Ebou Bojang and a Darren Troughton penalty.
Results: Sam Price Cup, second round: CCM Dynamos 1, Storeys 5; Kirkby Lonsdale 2, Slyne-Hest 0.
Squires Snooker Centre/ Fisher Cup, second round: Allithwaite Rangers Reserves 1, Highgrove Reserves 7.
Premier Division: Arnside 1, Squires 3; Marsh United 2, Ingleton 1; Morecambe Royals 0, Cartmel 2.
Division One: Burton Thistle 1, Marsh United Reserves 1; Cartmel Reserves 1, Millhead 2; Caton United 5, Morecambe Royals Reserves 1; Freehold 3, Westgate Wanderers 1; Ingleton Reserves 1, City Contract Services 1; Storeys Reserves 3, Torrisholme 6; Vine 3, Allithwaite Rangers 0.
Division Two: Bentham 0, Caton United Reserves 1; Halton Rangers 1, Galgate 1; Holme Athletic 3, AFC Moorlands 1; Swarthmoor Social Club 5, Arnside Reserves 0.
Scott Sports/Whiteside Cup, first round: Highgrove 2, Slyne-Hest Reserves 1.
Division Three: Boys Club Reserves 5, Burton Thistle Reserves 1; Galgate Reserves 0, Cumberland Hoops 2; Torrisholme Reserves 4, Kirkby Lonsdale Rangers 2.
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