MATCH REPORT: Kendal Town U18 3-5 Workington U18

The Young Reds continued their preparation for the new season and, in particular, the FA Youth Cup which commences in just over a month’s time.

After scoring five goals at Queen of the South in their last outing, they repeated the feat with five more at Parkside Road in a high scoring win over Kendal Town’s equivalent age group.

And it was a very satisfactory afternoon for Joe Carney, Reds’ top scorer in the JPL last season, who helped himself to a superb hat-trick…….and it could have been more!

Joe Carney

His first goal opened the scoring in the thirty-fifth minute and was probably the best of the three. He left two defenders in his wake before guiding the ball past the Town ‘keeper from a tight angle.

But Kendal equalised when Piotr Czehcura reacted smartly to convert at the near post via a low cross from the left.

Reds were back in front before the interval with Harrison Telford tapping home from six yards after Ben Whitworth’s original shot conveniently rebounded off the post.

Carney extended Reds lead by scoring the third and fourth, to complete his hat-trick, cashing in twice on sloppy defending by the home side.

Kendal fought back and exploited some poor defending by Reds, scoring twice in as many minutes – the first a fortunate own-goal followed by a close-range finish from Ollie Wilkinson.

Reds regained their composure and concluded the scoring with a well taken Ted Thomson solo goal.

The game was officiated by a former professional player, born in Kendal, with an impressive CV to reflect upon.

Fifty-one years ago, Peter McDonnell, the goalkeeper, was signed by Liverpool although he failed to make a single first team appearance during his four years at Anfield. He still managed to carve out a fine career in the game, making hundreds of appearances for Oldham Athletic, Bury, Barrow and Morecambe, as well as playing abroad in America and Hong Kong.

Peter McDonnell

Great to see him still contributing to the game where it all started for him, albeit with a whistle!

Next-up for the group is a tough-looking encounter against a Carlisle United junior team.

Team: Rumney, Roberts, Jackson, Palmer, Douglas, Cueto, Amor, Thomson, Whitworth, Carney, French. Substitutes – Routledge, Telford, White C, Gaskell (all used).