Defence of Steel keeps Frickley at bay as Town take opening day spoils

KENDAL Town held off a late Frickley barrage to claim their first win of the Evo-Stik Premier League on Saturday.

Dave Foster gave the black and whites the lead on 42 minutes and it was enough to clinch the three points in front of 228 spectators in the Lakeland Radio Stadium.

In a classically scrappy opening day encounter with Frickley, it was not all plain sailing for Town though.

As early as the third minute, Frickley could have taken the lead when Danny Clarke pushed into the box, but his first time shot crept wide of David Newnes' near post.

The next chance was Town's on 11 minutes when a Walmsley free kick was tipped over by Nicklin from 20 yards.

The middle of the half became scrappy but eventually Town got on top and a strong spell of pressure resulted in Foster's goal.

Carl Osman went on a strong run down the right wing and whipped a cross into the box.

The ball was cleared but fell to Keiran Walmsley on the edge of the box, who cut inside and struck toward goal.

His scuffed shot failed to reach goal but Foster collected, swivelled and struck into the bottom left hand corner past keeper Adam Nicklin.

Frickley were rejuvenated after the break though, having replaced Clarke with Patrick McGuire on 47 minutes.

But Town should have extended their lead in the 57th minute when a ball through the defence from Gary Stopforth arrived with Osman.

As Osman went to pull the trigger from five yards though, Ben Chapman got back to put the ball behind.

Foster was replaced by debutant Danny Rowe, signed on Friday from Blackpool Wren Rovers, and Athletic seemed to gain the momentum without Foster's presence.

Richard Dunning was at the centre of every Athletic move and on 65 minutes the visitors were denied a penalty after Dunning played Leon Henry into the box.

Henry went down under a tackle from Martin Moran and the Athletic bench jumped up for the call but referee Ian Gittens waved play on.

Town manager Lee Ashcroft brought on Ian Kilford and George Melling to steady the defence and their experience helped the side through the last 20 minutes.

Town defended with heart and showed just why the Lakeland Radio Stadium had become a fortress as the fans chewed on their nails willing a shut-out from Newnes.

Athletic kept coming, Dunning with several dangerous corners, but with little being offered in attack, stalwart Glenn Steel and Rory Winters dealt with all the balls into the box while Newnes held on to everything.

Town, without strike duo Alex Taylor and Peter Wright, did the important job in picking up the three points and will go into Tuesday's game against Ossett Town seeking at least a point.

Taylor could feature, despite aggravating a calf injury in training last Tuesday, but Town will be without playmaker Gary Stopforth for five weeks as he goes on holiday this week.

HOW THEY RATED: David Newnes 8, Keiran Walmsley 8, Martin Moran 7, Rory Winters 8, Glenn Steel 9, Gary Stopforth 8 (rep Ian Kilford 67mins), Carl Osman 8, Aaron Taylor 7 (rep George Melling 81mins), David Foster 8 (rep Danny Rowe 58 mins), Paul Osbourne 8, Danny Wisdom 8. Subs: Jordan Tucker, Tom Newton.

STAR MAN: Glenn Steel - threw himself in the way of everything to ensure a clean sheet for Town.

Attendance: 228