West headed back to the Northern Metal Recycling Stadium as we welcomed Kendal Town, for what was West’s ninth game in August. It was a perfect day for a Saturday afternoon game of football. West were on the back of two dominant displays, and two clean sheets. Meanwhile, Kendal had an emphatic 8-1 victory away to Penrith on the Tuesday evening prior, so they were traveling with confidence. There was a feeling there would be goals in this one, with the sides hitting a combined fourteen in their midweek games.

The start of the first half was similar to the previous two games, with West on the front foot. Within the opening minutes, the first chance of the game fell to James Harrison. Alfie Conway laid the ball off to Harrison, who got into the box, but his strike was held by the Kendal goalkeeper, Chris Cheetham. Only a couple of minutes later, a foul on Josh Scott led to a free kick which was taken by Layton Watts. The ball was put into the box but the referee blew for a foul in the box which eventually was turned over for a free kick to Kendal. West kept applying the pressure. Charlie Wood played a fantastic ball to Scott, who put the ball into the box, which was broken up by Kendal and put out for a corner. Kendal then had a chance of their own, a ball played into the penalty area, which was intercepted by Wood and removed from danger. On the ten-minute mark, Liam Hegarty played a low ball in from the right, Scott managed to get on the end of it, forcing the Kendal keeper into a smart save. This was followed by another dangerous corner from Watts, which led to another great save by the keeper. West had a further two chances 20 minutes in. First, Watts’ corner was headed towards goal by Ben Dale, but the Kendal keeper saved again. Then, Watts almost turned creator again, his free kick from the right headed over by Gary Brown. The game died down a little after this busy spell, and West Auckland would feel they should have had the lead. Kendal had a chance to score, before Watts had an effort from distance after half an hour played, his effort went agonisingly wide, with the keeper stranded. Again, Kendal started to look dangerous for a few minutes, but West had some good pressure in return. Just before half-time, a pass in the box from Scott to Conway was cleared out for a corner. Watts’ corners were a danger throughout the first half. There was still time for one last chance before half time. A great run from Harrison lead to a few passes around the 18 yard box, but the ball went out for a goal kick. A frustrating 45 minutes with plenty of chances for the home team and some great saves from the Kendal goalkeeper.

There was a fast start to the second half for both teams. Kendal seemed to come out with more purpose and created a chance from a corner, but the ball went over for for a goal kick. West had their own opportunity when Josh Scott found himself one on one, but soon ran out of time to take a shot with both central defenders catching up to avoid danger for the away team. 56 minutes played, and a great ball was played from Joey Hope to Layton Watts, who shot, but the ball went over for a goal kick. With both teams seemingly feeling the pressure to score, there was a change in pace, with lots of pressure coming from the Kendal bench. The first change of the game for West came, as Jermaine Metz replaced Alfie Conway on 61 minutes. Only two minutes later, Kendal were inches away from taking the lead. Jordan Palmer hit a strike with the outside of his foot, which hit the post and was eventually cleared. Still goalless. There were a few disgruntled West supporters as two or three decisions from the referee weren’t going their way. On 73 minutes, Metz had a long throw cleared, which was played back in by Watts and Gary Brown’s acrobatic effort was hit over the bar. A worrying moment came when West Auckland goalkeeper Nick Liversedge was judged to have handled outside the 18 years box, which saw him given a yellow card and a free-kick given to Kendal. Nathan Greenwood replaced James Harrison on 76 minutes. With 10 minutes to go, Jermaine Metz flashed a volley wide from Watts’ corner. Then, the deadlock was broken. On 83 minutes, Kendal Town substitute Josh Winder scored the game’s first goal. Tensions rose on the pitch as Kendal players held onto Hope, with the referee trying to restore some order. As time ticked down, there were a couple close efforts to try and get the draw. The best and final effort coming from Layton Watts. His long range effort on 90 minutes was tipped over the bar. The full-time whistle blew, and Kendal Town won 1-0.

After, we spoke to Man of the Match Layton Watts about his start with West Auckland Town and his hopes for the reminder of the season. 

“I have enjoyed my first few games for the club, everyone has made me feel welcome and I think I have settled in well. Hopefully, we can keep playing well and maybe be a bit more clinical at times and put teams to bed, but overall I think the team are playing some very good stuff and are looking stronger as the weeks go on. Hopefully, we can be in the play off positions at the end of the season.”

Full-Time: West Auckland Town 0-1 Kendal Town

Competition: Northern League Division One

Attendance: 188