AMBLESIDE'S opening Cumbria League game was against local rivals Windermere. After two promising tournaments, and excellent training sessions Ambleside felt they were ready for the encounter, and so it proved with a 4-1 win.

Within five minutes Ambleside's pressure told when a well-worked corner between Amanda Faulkner and her sister-in-laws Janet Faulkner and Sue Conway, ended with Conway hitting into the corner of the net.

Teamwork brought more pressure on the visitors' defence with Louise Hartley latching on to a straight ball into the D to slip it past the 'keeper. She was then on the end of another corner routine, Hazel Jones firing the ball across the D before Nicola Conway pulled it ball back for Hartley to slot home.

Ambleside's defence was always in control, and fast, attacking hockey caused Windermere lots of problems and a fourth goal came in the second half from another corner, Nicola Conway striking yet again. Windermere applied pressure in the last 15 minutes and pulled a goal back.

n KENDAL had a pleasing 8-0 victory in their opening Cumbria League match at home to Keswick on Sunday.

With captain away on holiday Nicola Martindale led the squad of only 11 players.

In a positive start, Kendal's Sarah Brooks received a penalty-corner hit and pushed it wide for Vicky Jones to steer towards the back post where Julie Ashworth scored.

Ashworth picked up a loose ball five minutes later and after an initial save by the keeper slotted in the follow-up. The hat-trick came shortly afterwards when she coolly slotted in another rebound.

Kendal made it 4-0 when Vicky Jones scored her first league goal for the club with a slide and reverse hit under the keeper and she scored twice more with another reverse shot and then rounded the keeper and two defenders to lift the ball into the net.

Midway through the second half Sarah Brooks added to the score then Jones claimed her fourth goal in a goalmouth scramble.

n ULVERSTON faced Barrow at Ulverston Leisure Complex and were unlucky not to share the spoils, going down 2-1.

Ulverston fielded a changed side as keeper Anne Shuttleworth and centre-forward Paula Eddy have both retired and left midfield Vicky Weeks is on maternity leave.

Back in the side were some familiar faces, Julie Bowes the stand-in keeper and Katie Wright.

Ulverston took the lead in the 25th minute as Claire Grace struck with a shot in from the edge of the D.

Ulverston's quick-passing game produced some good play, but they could not breach the Barrow defence again.

In the second half Barrow's Helen Burrow cut out a lot of passes and was dangerous on the attack and an equaliser followed.

Ulverston hit the post from one of several short corners, but Barrow replied strongly and Bowes made a fine save.

Ulverston's player of the match Carolyn Metcalfe made some solid tackles and clearances. Despite this, Barrow scored a winning goal when a Rachel Roberts strike was deflected in by a team-mate.

n KIRKBY Stephen travelled to Glaxo and took control from the start.

Midfielders Mel Earl and Becky Richardson created and delivered plenty of attacking movements for the strikers, but the Glaxo defence proved difficult to beat and Kirkby only managed to go into half-time1-0.

With a Glaxo player being injured, Kirkby took advantage in the second half and made the most of the home side's lack of subs.

Defenders Lisa Shaw, Ang Earl, Emma Lightburn and Nicky Chapman put a stop to any Glaxo attack, leaving keeper Tracy Maughan with little to do.

Kirkby constantly created chances with individual runs as well as team efforts and youngster Kim Balmer had a great game, but the Glaxo keeper proved difficult to beat.

Kirkby's continuous hard work and pressure on the Glaxo defence eventually paid off to net five more goals in the second half. Goalscorers in the 6-0 victory were Ang Marston (2), Lil Prime (2), Sarah Bowman and Becky Richardson.