LION-HEARTED Kendal Town mauled Unibond League Premier Division opponents Guiseley in one of the finest displays at Parkside this season, writes Dennis Aris.
A 2-2 draw on Saturday forced Tuesday's replay and this stunning victory now sets up a third qualifying round trip to Conference North side Worcester City on November 25.
On Tuesday, it was nearly a massacre rather than a mere mauling for Town squandered chance after chance.
A major factor was the willing running of David Foster and strike partner Lee Ashcroft, who harried the Guiseley defence from the outset, running down balls that appeared lost and using them productively.
Foster's speed has put him among the goals for several seasons, but on Tuesday evening he showed another side to his game with astute lay offs for other front-runners.
Almost inevitably Foster's determination brought the opening goal. He challenged Guiseley's Matt Taylor for a high cross and the keeper was forced to palm the ball away over his head. Ashcroft pushed the ball across to Ged Smith, but his shot was half cleared to the lurking Foster who slammed it in from 10 yards.
Guiseley sought a swift reply and Matthew Smithard outwitted Paul Sparrow and Paul Rigby, but his shot was blocked on the line by Nigel Taylor, who had an immaculate game in central defence. It was as close as the senior side were going to get all evening and Kendal roared back with Sparrow's long ball out of defence well brought down by Foster.
He put Ashcroft clear, but the Town captain's shot shaved the outside of the post.
On 30 minutes Foster was again pivotal with another challenge that forced a half clearance.
With two defenders closing in Russ McKenna, brought into midfield for the injured Ricky Mercer, calmly sidefooted to Ged Smith, who had no trouble beating the stranded keeper from the edge of the penalty area.
Before the half ended Smith drove a shot narrowly over the bar, Ian Kilford's stinging shot from Ashcroft's cross was well saved and Stuart Cliff's lob was slightly misjudged when through for a one-on-one with the keeper.
Would the visitors make a second-half comeback pondered the fans? Not a chance.
Town immediately forced two corners and from the second McKenna pushed the third goal home from two yards.
The only disappointment in Town's evening was the loss of playmaker Cliff in the 65th minute with a hamstring injury.
Meanwhile, Chris Ward replaced Foster and on 73 minutes was unlucky when an artfully flighted shot was just deflected away for a corner.
With five minutes to go Town boss Tony Hesketh added fresh torment for the visitors by bringing speedy Peter Smith on the right wing. It produced an immediate result as Smith's guile produced a tricky dropping cross into the area where Ward went down. Ashcroft sealed the victory with a spot kick into the bottom left corner.
How they rated: Salisbury 7; Rigby 7, Whittal-Williams 7, Taylor 8, Sparrow 8; Kilford 7 (P. Smith 7 from 85 minutes), Cliff 7 (Osborne 6 from 65 minutes), McKenna 7, G. Smith 7; Ashcroft 8, Foster 9 (Ward 7 from 60 minutes).
Guiseley......................2 Kendal Town...............2 LEE Ashcroft's penalty nine minutes from time earned Town a replay when the sides first met on Saturdazy.
Goalscoring chances came thick and fast in an entertaining clash. In the second minute a shot across the face of goal by Guiseley's veteran playmaker Mark Stuart struck the inside of the post, but keeper James Salisbury quickly smothered the loose ball.
Two minutes later Town David Foster, who had a hugely impressive game, set up strike partner Ashcroft, but his effort flashed the wrong side of the post.
Nigel Taylor's through ball was well-anticipated by Foster on eight minutes and he showed skill and composure to jink inside full back Kieron O'Brien before beating keeper Matt Taylor to give Town the lead.
At the other end Salisbury pulled off a memorable one handed tip over to deny Chris Clarke, but moments later Lee Connor fired in an equaliser from a goalmouth scramble.
Kendal's Stuart Cliff missed narrowly with a left foot drive before the home side went 2-1 up in the 20th minute, Stuart arriving unmarked to pick his spot past exposed Salisbury.
Ged Smith's firm shot just cleared the crossbar for Town before Clarke wasted a simple chance at the other end after Stuart's initial effort came back of the woodwork.
Ricky Mercer all but levelled the tie five minutes before half-time, but his brave point blank header was blocked by the keeper. Sadly for Town the key midfielder injured his knee in the process.
The second half belonged to Kendal with Foster's movement causing mayhem in the Guiseley defence, Taylor being forced to save twice in the opening five minutes.
Ged Smith and Ashcroft also went close before Town got the break they deserved as O'Brien handled in the area, Ashcroft tucked the spot kick firmly away to take the tie to a replay.
How they rated: Salisbury 8; Rigby 8, Whittal-Williams 7, Taylor 7, Sparrow 8; Kilford 8, Mercer 8 (P. Smith 7 from 42 minutes), Cliff 8; G. Smith 8; Ashcroft 8, Foster 9.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article