LEAGUE leaders Kendal County have won through to the last four of the Talbot Insurance Westmorland League's High Sheriff's Cup with a 2-1 victory over Carleton Rovers.

The quarter-final tie was one of the few top-flight matches to survive the waterlogging which bedevilled Saturday's programme.

After explulsion from both the Westmorland FA Senior Cup and Benevolent Trophy for fielding an ineligible player, County's interest in the High Sheriff's Cup represents their last chance of a knockout trophy this season.

County were hopeful of playing despite the heavy overnight rain and, after forking the pitch and sweeping away standing water, the tie went ahead, although the heavy conditions made any outbreak of flowing football an unexpected bonus.

County have comfortably disposed of Carleton twice this term, 6-0 in the Invitation Trophy and 5-0 in the league, but found committed and determined opponents keen not to suffer the same demise.

County were on top in the first half but never looked entirely comfortable and reverted to their old ways of squandering chances even given the mitigating factor of the very muddy goalmouths.

Carleton's man of the match was their goalkeeper, who made three good saves and it was the visitors who went ahead after Ross Cowperthwaite chaseD a long ball that caught the County defence square and went on to round the keeper to score.

County did not deserve to be behind on the run of play and equalised before half time when Craig Walmsley crossed from the right for Peter Nicholls to rise above the defender and head into the bottom corner.

Back on track, County went on to score the decisive winning goal after forcing a series of corners. Paul Grattan delivered the cross for Phil Hodgson, running in from deep, to knock down and Ollie Wilson controlled it in the goalmouth and was about to swivel and shoot when Shaun Palmer cheekily took it off his toe to score.

The only downside from the afternoon for County was that Craig Walmsley pulled up at full pelt with a hamstring pull.

County boss Dave Chambers said: "It was one of those days that the pitch was really a problem, but we're happy with a win for it keeps the momentum going now that the fixtures are coming thick and fast."

In the other tie played Wetheriggs accounted for Staveley 3-0.

Two goals from striker Simon Park helped County Reserves on their way to a 4-0 win at Burneside in the first round of the Mason and Freeman Cup, the first division club's knockout. The other goals for manager Gary Todd's side came from Anthony Pearce and Christian Hoyle.

Appleby first-team's home match with Kendal Town Reserves in the Westmorland League's first division was was washed out, but the second team went to Northbank Carlisle Rangers in the quarter-finals of the Westmorland County FA Junior Cup and gave a good account of themselves before losing 2-1 in extra-time.

Appleby midfielder Carl Pratt gave his side a 1-0 lead before half time as they played with a following wind and had several chances to go further ahead without luck.

In the second half, Appleby then held the progressive Northbank side, who are third from top of Division Three, until eight minutes from time when the equaliser came to take the game into extra time.

A contentious penalty eventually sealed Appleby's fate, but it was a good effort, especially from the younger element in the team with centre-back Thomas Armstrong, right bank David Drummond and midfielder Richard Faustino all impressing.

Results round-up: Junior Cup, quarter-finals: Northbank Carlisle 2, Appleby 1 (aet); Penrith United 0, Wetheriggs United 1.

League: Division One: High Sheriff's Cup, first round: Kendal County 2, Carleton Rovers 1; Wetheriggs United 3, Staveley United 0.

Division Two: Mason and Freeman Cup, first round: Burneside 0, Kendal County Reserves 4.

Division Three: Ambleside United Reserves 4, Burneside Reserves 3.

Division Four: Carvetii United Reserves 5, Dent Reserves 0; Coniston Reserves 3, Lunesdale United Reserves 3.

All other games postponed.