Burscough 3-0 Kendal Town

Jan 28 2010 by Our Correspondent, Ormskirk Advertiser

AFTER the previous Tuesday’s result in the League Challenge Cup, not many would have expected what unfolded in this encounter at Victoria Park.

With new signings - keeper Richard Whiteside and central defender Andy Barlow plus an enforced change at right back in Marc Dermot - manager Andy Gray had added strength and height, so much so they never looked in real trouble. Any neutrals in the crowd could be forgiven for thinking Kendal were playing in green.

Right from the start the Linnets took the game to Kendal and it was no surprise when an Andy Barlow clearance was picked up by the excellent Gary McEvatt who raced forward and from just inside the box fired past David Newnes and just inside his left hand post.

Darren Brookfield was covering most of the pitch and was unlucky when he intercepted the ball and fired just over the bar.

In the 40th minute Paul Byrne managed a shot but it did not trouble the Burscough keeper as it sailed over the crossbar.

With half-time approaching Gary McEvatt and Darren Byers combined and the latter’s header down was rammed home by the Linnets number 10 for his second goal, Burscough went in at half-time as worthy leaders.

The Kendal players came out ready for action but Andy Gray kept his lads in the dressing for the maximum time.

Kendal started the quicker of the two sides and they carved out a couple of chances but they seemed more interested in knocking the roof off the crabtree cover.

The nearest Kendal came to a goal was in the 63rd minute when Kieran Walmsley hit a cross come shot which skidded off the pitch causing Richard Whiteside to make a fine save giving away a corner, from which Alex Taylor headed against the crossbar.

Kendal keeper David Newnes did his best to present Gary McEvatt with his hat-trick when he was closed down making a clearance and hit the Linnets forward with the ball, it sailed over him going just wide.

The hat-trick had to come however and a fine move down the left by Adam Black and excellent cross was headed home in terrific fashion to complete a great afternoon for Gary. There was no weakness at all in this Burscough side and with Dominic Morley gaining match fitness, his prompting on the field, manager Andy Gray will have gained immense satisfaction from one of if not the best result of the season.

l Burscough:Whiteside, Dermott, Barlow, Morley, Bayliss, Standley, Field, Roberts, Byers (Black 79), McEvatt (Wilson 89), Brookfield, Subs not used: Asgari, Bathurst, Grisedale.

l Kendal Town: Newnes, Walmsley, Byrne, Melling, Steel, Stopforth (Mulvaney 73), Osman, Bell (Foster 69), Taylor, Warburton(Beattie 69), Wisdom. Subs not used: Green Kilford.

l Attendance 182