Lancaster City 3-1 Kendal Town

Having scored against the Dolly Blues for the Mintcakes in the corresponding fixture last season, Ricky Mercer got Phil Brown’s side off to a great start as they dominated the first period.

Former City man Sam Bailey levelled things up for the visitors from the penalty spot early in the second half as the hosts failed to make the most of their superiority however.

But the Blues’ response was almost immediate with Ryan Winder’s goal six minutes after the interval handing them the lead for a second time.

Aaron Taylor settled things with time almost up after Leon Gierke had blown a big chance to seal a point for Kendal.

The Dolly Blues were on top from the off, Tom Kilifin blazing over a right-foot volley in the six-yard area five minutes in.

Craig Carney then put a free header from a Winder corner over the bar before the hosts deservedly went in front after eight minutes.

Winder chipped in a free-kick with Mercer flicking the ball on, former Morecambe youngster Will Kitchen getting a hand to it but unable to prevent it going into the back of the net.

The game settled but Brown’s men continued to have all the chances.

Neil Marshall could only plant a difficult header from another Winder corner wide before Billy Akrigg was denied by Kitchen when in on goal.

Kendal simply couldn’t deal with Winder’s delivery, Mercer coming close with a second header midway through the half with Kitchen then on hand to help Kilifin’s effort over the crossbar.

Kilifin and Carney had further half chances as it continued to be one-way traffic but the Dolly Blues couldn’t add to their one-goal advantage in the first half.

City were made to pay for their missed chances just three minutes after the interval.

Carney bundled over Ben Thomas in the area with Bailey making no mistake from 12 yards as he sent Mike Hale the wrong way.

The Mintcakes weren’t level for long however with the Dolly Blues back in front after 51 minutes. Zach Clark broke down the left and squared for Winder to score from close range.

As rain hammered down in front of a bumper Giant Axe crowd Kendal continued to struggle with Winder’s delivery, Marshall again coming close with a header that needed a save from Kitchen.

As in the first half it was Brown’s men who carried the threat, Clark seeing a cross-cum-shot go narrowly wide shortly after the hour.

Chances dried up as the game became more of a battle with Kendal sensing they might be able to snatch an unlikely point late on.

Their best chance came as sub Gierke pounced on a stray Rob Henry header but the veteran front man’s touch was heavy as he went round Hale and the opening was gone.

City went straight up the other end and with Kendal stretched Taylor had the freedom on the Mintcakes half before beating Kitchen one-on-one to seal the three points.

Lancaster City: Hale, Henry, Marshall (capt), Mercer, G Clark, Akrigg (Davis 72), Watson, Z Clark, Carney (Shearwood 82), Winder, Kilifin (Taylor 65). Subs not used: Rodgerson, Cummings.

Kendal Town: Kitchen, Aspin, Hoctor, Bailey, Wardle, Freeland, Cowley (Towers 76), Forbes, Homson-Smith (Gierke 76), Helliwell (capt) (Swarbrick 62), Thomas. Subs not used: Breslin.

Referee: David Underwood

Attendance: 357