IF THIS meeting was to bethe dress rehearsal for the forthcoming FA Trophy tie between these two sides then all bodes well for Tony Hesketh's side for the rematch a week on Friday.

Two goals from striker David Foster in this five-goal rout saw Kendal at their best as they secured three comfortable points to make ground on the league leaders.

Final score: Clitheroe 0 - Kendal Town 5.

Hesketh had asked his side for an improvement in discipline and so far his players have responded well to the call and in this particular game the players' minds were clearly focussed on the job in hand.

Ironically Clitheroe's Lee Cryer had an early opportun-ity to put the home side ahead on 10 minutes when he found space at the back post only to fire woefully over fit-again Mark Thornley's crossbar.

Surviving the scare, Kendal found an opening goal on 14 minutes and it was a top-drawer finish from Foster.

Midfielder Russ McKenna was the provider as man of the match FOSTER coolly unleashed a precise volley which always looked destined for the bottom corner of the Clitheroe net.

Untidy defending five minutes later allowed Cryer through on goal, but fortunately for Kendal a telling finish deserted the Clitheroe player for a second time.

Town came agonisingly close to a second goal when Nigel Taylor whipped in a dangerous free kick only for home keeper Kris Richens to deny McKenna's header with a superb full-length diving save.

Kendal dominated the remainder of the half with veteran Peter Smith, who figured throughout, putting in some sterling work down the right flank. However, they had to be content with a single-goal advantage at the break.

Kenny MAYERS ended a personal barren spell early in the second half when he fired home on 50 minutes.

Full back Paul McMenemywent on the overlap before crossing the ball for the club captain to claim his eighth goal of the current campaign.

Centre-half Dene WHITTAL-WILLIAMS netted Kendal's third goal when he headed McKenna's corner kick in at the near post on 58 minutes and five minutes later Ricky MERCER, who now faces a one match suspension, rifled in a fierce left foot drive to make it 4-0.

Mayers unselfishly squared the ball for FOSTER to grab his second goal 15 minutes from time to round off an impressive all-round display.

Ratings: Thornley 8, Rigby 8, McMenemy 8, Whittal-Williams 8, Taylor 8, Mercer 8, Smith 8, McKenna 8, Foster 9, Mayers 8, Woodruffe 8. Subs: Burrow 7 for Rigby 68min, Jack 7 for Mercer 75min, Sheppard 7 for McKenna 68min. Att: 171.