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When Paul Smith’s swerving shot flashed beyond Andy
Carney to give Kendal Town a two-goal advantage after 21 minutes, there
looked to be no way back for a weakened Belper Town side on a rainswept
afternoon in the Lake District.
Earlier this season, the same scenario would surely
have resulted in further damage being inflicted and the prospect of a
gloomy return trip from the north-west after another dispirited result.
But this is a much more resilient Belper team and
sparked by a superb goal from full back Joe Carter, Belper eventually
regained equality in the scoreline and gave their high-flying hosts a
real test of their promotion credentials.
The Nailers travelled north without captain Danny
Hudson who has been struggling with a groin injury whilst central
defender Will Davies and Ryan Cancellara also succumbed to injuries
sustained at Ossett Albion last weekend.
Coaching commitments at Barnsley FC also meant that
Chris Dolby was unavailable for the trip.
Belper named their latest signing from Eastwood
Town, Kelvin Mushambi in their starting line-up whilst another new
striker, Jason Nicholson secured a placed on the substitute’s bench.
Kendal enjoyed the benefit of the considerable
Parkside Road slope in the first half and soon made their presence felt.
Andy Carney had already twice denied the home forwards with impressive
saves but he do nothing when Paul Foster got the faintest of touches to a
right wing cross from the evergreen Paul Smith after just 6 minutes.
Luke Chambers saw his shot deflected for a corner as
the Nailers retaliated but Kendal maintained the early pressure and
continually forced Belper onto the back foot. Their momentum was rewarded
after 21 minutes when a left-wing cross eluded the Nailers defence,
leaving Paul Smith with plenty of space to send a powerful shot beyond
Carney.
At that stage, Belper’s prospects looked as gloomy
as the weather but all that was to change when the Nailers were awarded a
free kick 30 yards out. Pat Lyons tapped the ball sideways for JOE CARTER
to send a spectacular shot into the top corner, which goalkeeper James
Salisbury could only admire as the ball flashed into the net.
Smith again went close for Kendal when his shot scraped
past the far post with the Belper defence spread-eagled but the Nailers
ought to have been on level terms just before the break when Mark
Highfield somehow contrived to head wide from 8 yards when Rob Harrison’s
cross had picked him out perfectly.
Now it was Belper’s turn to take advantage of the
local terrain and a bright start to the second period saw Kelvin
Mushambi’s smart turn give him a clear shooting opportunity that flew a
yard wide.
But the Nailers were not to be denied. Clever
footwork from Mushambi saw him jink past his marker and only a crude
tackle on the edge of the area from Nigel Taylor halted his progress. Rob
Harrison’s free kick was only parried by Salisbury and MUSHAMBI reacted
quickest to rifle the loose ball onto the roof of the net.
That goal stung the home side into action as they
began to pour forward but the Belper defence, superbly marshalled by Jon
Hobson, mainly restricted Kendal to long-range opportunities.
Luke Chambers produced a fine intervention to
prevent Kendal from cashing in on another great far post cross from Paul
Smith as the home side pressed for another goal.
But neither side could carve out a clear cut opening
as the game moved towards the final stages and Belper will be pleased
with the point gained against a top six side who boast an impressive
record at Parkside Road this season
Dave Laughlin
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