Kendal county 3-4 Askam United

Seven goal thriller see united race clear at the top.

Askam United travelled to a ground which over the years has left them leaving disappointed on more occasions than not. Memorably a 4-4 draw under Neil park after leading 4-1 with 20 minutes to go, as well as last season’s 1-0 defeat after controlling most of the game. Under no illusion Ben Shirley’s men took to the field knowing that three points would steer them into a great position for the upcoming sprint for promotion.

Fielding a near full strength side Askam took to the field after the winter break a bit short of match fitness in comparison to their opponents who had managed to survive the weather the weekend before. Credit to the Kendal county staff that made the pitch playable after a lot of rainfall previous, however the pitch was under a lot of stick from the first whistle cutting up massively in the middle of the park. This seemed to suit the county style of play initially as they got to grips with the game early on firing balls in and behind the Askam fullbacks. This first main talking point of the game came when Callum Rayner sprung the offside trap to race one on one with the keeper, whilst trying to round the keeper he was tripped by the scrambling centre back. To Rayners credit he stayed on his feet but couldn’t get a clean shot away before going down. It seemed as if the referee’s main decision would be if he would send off the County player for last man, however this was not the case. To both players disbelief the penalty wasn’t given and Askam were told to get on with it.
Straight from the Goal kick a pretty harmless ball turned defence into attack from County and a mistake as well as a bit of fortune saw the ball deflect off an Askam clearance and send a county striker through one on one with Phil Poss who was beaten by the on rushing striker. 1-0 County. To Askam’s credit they knew it was slightly against the run of play and plugged away trying to get an equaliser. Kendal weathered the storm and the game became very even again with the County skipper Dan Ferguson spraying the ball out from the back they seemed a very good counter attacking side. It was a fortunate incident that led to Askam’s equaliser when Mclean seemed to collide with the keeper of a corner causing him to drop the ball onto the head of Andy Higginson who tucked it away from a yard out. Another decision that could have gone the other way this time Askam were on the receiving end of a bit of luck.

In what was turning out to be a thrilling 1st half county then caught Askam on the counter again when Joe Baker ran through and finished superbly into the far corner. 2-1 county and Askam had to show their character to try and get back into the game for the second time. This time the flash of brilliance came when a lovely through ball saw Rayner race through yet again and pull it across the box for Ryan Brown to slot home. A lovely team goal especially on the ever deteriorating pitch, both teams happy enough to go in at the break 2-2 with Askam slightly on top in the closing period.

The second half started and Kendal county came out of the blocks the quickest playing some good football and were rewarded with a soppy goal as their outstanding left winger caused mayhem in the box before a tackle fell to the on rushing fullback who struck the ball against Matty Gribbin which left Askam’s keeper diving the wrong way, 3-2 county and deservedly after the start of the second half. Askam really were now up against it trailing for a third time in the game, however experience this season from the likes of Warren Smithson and Andrew Higginson has really seemed to give that extra stability into the team and to the young side’s credit they never panicked when going behind again and got a hold of the game. For a 10 minute spell it was all Askam but knowing the countering ability of Kendal they had to watch out not to fall 2 goals behind. Once again Kendal seemed to have dealt with the play creating a few chances of their own but failing to take them. Jordan Rayner and Kris Mclean were starting to get to grips with the pitch making some surging runs at the Kendal defence which led to consecutive corners. Askam put the pressure on and following a high foot just on the edge of the area Kendal gifted Askam a glorious chance for the prolific Rayner to equalise.
More times than not this season Callum has slotted away half chances and with this taking his goal tally to 25 in 24. A well struck free kick left the keeper un sighted and it flew into the back of the net. 3-3 Askam and now a tough last 25 minutes would be in store for both teams. Knowing a Kendal win would put them right back in the title race but an Askam win would make them extremely hard to catch it was a case of stick or twist for Ben Shirley. Kendal created a few more chances as well as Askam but rarely tested the keepers in the bogey goalmouths. It was a little bit of brilliance again from Rayner which lead to the final decisive moment. Having trailed 3 times in the game Askam were granted a golden opportunity when Kyle Jefferson surged down the right feeding Rayner out wide, magnificently Rayner back heeled the ball sending Jefferson through on a tight angle. It was a foot race between him and the centre half for the ball, foolishly the centre half lunged in and brought down the Askam man for a blatant penalty. No complaints from the County players and Rayner dispatched his second and his 26th for the season.

Askam then made 3 changes which steadied the ship including Debutant Declan Kell at the age of16 who impressed in his 10 minute spell. Craig Moore and Mike Platt gave a bit of stability to the team but Kendal were always going to chuck everything at Askam at made it 4-4 with not long left but only for it to be ruled offside to their obvious disbelief. Askam Held on for a massive win in this title race against a very good Kendal side. With the 3 teams below united now all playing each other in the coming weeks Askam feel they must be in the driving seat now, however there will be no complacency in this title run in. Askam entertain Barrow Wanderers next who are on the back of their first win of the season and will be full of confidence.

Askam United Man of the match – Callum Rayner