Kendal United vs 
May 3
Kendal United 1, Grange Utd 2
Grange took the lead with a surprise goal that was caught in the wind before Cameron Wilkinson showed a cool head in the penalty box to turn and shoot for an equaliser.
After the break, the visitors went ahead with another speculative shot from long range that flew into the net but Kendal showed great spirit and battled on.
One 'goal' was ruled offside and a penalty by Cameron just went over the bar bit despite Kendal's best efforts they couldn't find a way through Grange's solid defence.
April 23
Kendal United 1, Ibis Athletic 5
Another defeat but the scoreline in no way fully reflected this match, which was much closer than the final score would suggest.
The visitors went in at half time two goals to the good, but Kendal saw one goaslbound effort by Jordan Nesbitt cleared off the line and another by Cameron Wilkinson sail over the bar.
Ibis added to their lead after the break, only for Kendal to hit back with a great finish by Dan Shepherd, after Cameron has hit the post and Nes had shot just wide.
Ibis extended their lead with a goal that had a suspicion of handball about it in the build-up and then made the game completely safe with a fifth late on.
April 5
Kirkby Stephen 2, Kendal United 2
The visitors once again put on an excellent display, with Ben Powell and Dan Shepherd both in commanding form at the centre of defence.
The visitors' team sheet had a slightly unfamiliar look, with two regulars missing, but they dominated the opening exchanges.
Kieran Harding, playing in an unfamiliar position up front, saw an early shot well saved, while strike partner Jordan Nesbitt saw one effort well stopped and a second shot go wide.
The visitors took the lead after a fine through ball by Joe Herbert was latched on to by skipper Bradley Dodds, who gave the keeper no chance.
After the break, Kendal continued to press forward for more goals and James Lishman saw one shot go over the bar and a second saved by the home keeper.
Dan Shepherd then went on a mazy run that saw him beat at least five players before running into the penalty box and hitting the net for a memorable goal.
2-0 to the visitors and an elusive league victory appeared in sight, but two goals in a short space of time put paid to those hopes and when the home side won a penalty late in the game, the writing seemed to be on the wall.
Fortunately, Michael Smith was equal to the spot kick and made a vital save that earned Kendal their first league point of the season - and deservedly so.
March 29. League Match
Kendal United 0, Milnthorpe and Dist 5
At the risk of sounding like a repeated record, the final score did not truly reflect this game, in which Kendal had much the better of the opening 20 minutes.
Both Dan Shepherd and Cameron Wilkinson went close in the search for that elusive goal, as the home side produced another good performance.
March 15. League Match
Grange Utd 1, Kendal Utd 0
If ever a scoreline failed to do full justice to a football match, than this was it.
The hosts took the lead in the first half but it was Kendal who did much of the pressing and, after the interval, dominated the match with a succession of chances.
Cameron Wilkinson saw his shot tipped over the bar before the break, while the home keeper pulled off a good save in a one-on-one with Ben Powell and Jordan Thexton saw a long range effort go wide.
February 22, League Match
Kendal United 1, Kirkby Stephen 2
That elusive first win of the season surely can't be far away, judging by the home team's performance in a game they arguably deserved something from.
The lads played spells of good football, despite a muddy pitch that cut up as the match went on, but it was the visitors who went ahead with a shot from the edge of the box that gave excellent stand-in keeper Ben Powell no chance.
Tim's halftime team talk seem to do the trick and within minutes of the restart Kendal were back on level terms thanks to a well-taken goal by skipper Bradley Dodds, who forced his way into the penalty area before unleashing an unstoppable shot. 1-1 and game on.
Both sides then had some half chances, with Matthew Airey delivering some great crosses from the right wing.
Dan Shepherd deserves a huge pat on the back for an incredible last ditch tackle after a Kirkby striker had rounded Ben and had the open goal at his mercy.
With Dan driving the team forward with some mazy runs, Kendal came close more than once, with Jordan Nesbitt hitting the cross bar and then Cameron Wilkinson-Khan sent a header just wide.
But it was far from one-way traffic, with the visitors looking dangerous on the break and Ben making a brilliant one-on-one stop.
It wasn't to be Kendal's day, however, when Kirkby regained the lead after a shot hit the inside of the post and rolled into the net.
February 1, Dallam Tower Cup, Quarter Final
Kendal United 2, Wattsfield Wanderers 7
Same opponents, but not the same starting XI for the hosts, due to absentees and cup ineligibility.
Despite the enforced changes, Kendal continued on their upward curve with another decent performance against very competitive opposition.
Kendal played some neat football at times and Ben Powell deserves a big pat on the back for going in goal, in the absence of Michael Smith.
Despite doing sterling work in the back four, Dan Shepherd still managed to score both the home side's goals, the first after a mazy run into the penalty box, and the second a spot kick.
So now we can concentrate on the league, as they say, and hopefully put some points on the board that the team fully deserves.
January 18, Jackson Cup Quarter Final
Kendal United 0, Wattsfield Wanderers 2
A new-look back four for Kendal proved a big success in this close and entertaining match that wasn't decided until the visitors doubled their lead midway through the second half.
January 11, League Match
Ibis 12, Kendal United 4
Despite the scoreline, Kendal gave a decent account of themselves, despite losing striker Ben Powell early in the first half after the ref mysteriously showed him a red card.
The decision proved costly for the visitors, who were holding their own with the scoreline at 1-1, but Ibis took advantage of the extra player in a game played in atrocious condition, with a driving, horizontal rain and a strong wind.
Kendal scored several good goals, with skipper Bradley Dodds, Ben Shepherd (2) and Cameron Wilkinson all candidates for goal of the game.
December 21, League Match
Heathwaite 4, Kendal Utd 2
An entertaining and evenly-matched game played in difficult conditions that was spoiled, particularly in the second half, by some frankly baffling decisions by the referee.
Jordan Nesbitt, playing up front, was the first to threaten Heathwaite's goal with a shot that was cleared off the line.
Then captain Bradley Dodds put the visitors in front with a well-taken shot from long range, but the hosts equalised and could have taken the lead, but for a fine diving save by Michael Smith to tip the ball over the bar.
Heathwaite took the lead with a quick break but Kendal kept battling and drew level thanks to Matthew Airey's neat shot round the keeper.
It was game on but Heathwaite took advantage when the ref mysteriously gave them a free kick mid-way in Kendal's half, when it looked like a Heathwaite player had grabbed Bradley's shirt. A quickly-taken kick surprised Kendal and the hosts regained the lead.
Then, with Kendal chasing the game, another breakaway by Heathwaite saw one of their players fall over in the penalty area and the ref had no hesitation in pointing to the spot, and then booked Bradley for an apparent foul. Two strange decisions, to say the least, in this writer's view.
League match
Wattsfield Wanderers 3, Kendal Utd 0
Kendal put in a strong performance on a horribly, muddy, sticky pitch and created several good chances.
Dan Shepherd was the first to threaten the hosts goal, first with a good turn and shot, and then with a free kick that just went over the bar.
Cameron Wilkinson saw a good shot saved by their Wattsfield keeper and Ben Powell had a chance that went wide.
Jackson Cup
Kendal Utd 4, Heathwaite 0
A top performance by Kendal United was capped by a hat-trick from returning striker Cameron Wilkinson.
Jordan Nesbitt put the home side ahead with a well-taken goal and Cameron gave a taste of what was to come with a lob shot that landed on the roof of the net.
He then latched on to a through ball by Bradley Dodds and found the net, giving Kendal a two-goal advantage at half-time.
Kendal played some good football, passing the ball well and dominating the match for long periods.
After the break, Cameron again showed nice turn of pace and good finishing by running on to through balls, first from 'keeper Michael Smith, and then a great ball from Ben Powell to complete his hat-trick.
Nice one, Cam. It's good to have you back.
Ibis Athletic 11, Kendal Utd 1
The scoreline doesn't tell the whole story of this match, in which Kendal Utd at times outplayed their hosts, particularly during the second half, despite playing the whole game with only nine players, due to half term holiday commitments. Which bright spark puts the fixture list together?
Ibis made the most of the two player advantage and could have scored more, but for some good defending by Kendal.
Then, after decent efforts by Dan Shepherd, Ben Powell and Bradley Dodds, the visitors finally got their reward when Jordan Nesbitt - switched from defence into attack by manager Tim - got the goal that Kendal deserved.
A performance showing real character, determination and no little skill.. bodes well for the future.
Kendal Utd 2, Heathwaite 3
Two teams were competing for their first league points of the season, but only side seemed really up for the game - until Kenfal came alive suddenly in the last 10 minutes.
Heathwaite took a 1-0 lead into the interval and scored two more in the second half, despite playing into the wind.
Then Dan Shepherd and Bradley Dodds scored in quick succession and suddenly Kendal were dominating the game - but couldn't find the net for a third time.
October 12
Dallam Tower Trophy, 1st round
Grange & Dist 0, Kendal Utd 1
The scoreline simply did not do justice to the pattern of this game, which Kendal Utd dominated for long spells.
A well organised and packed home defence proved hard to break down, however, even though the visitors were virtually camped in their opponents' half for much of the first half.
A combination of good defending and luck not being on Kendal's side meant the teams went into the break with a goal-less scoreline.
And it could have been worse, as two rare Grange attacks very nearly brought the first goal of the game. First Michael Smith acrobatically tipped a shot bound for the top corner over the post and then Jordan Nesbit made a goal-line clearance to keep his team level.
After the interval, Grange showed more enterprise and the game began to get a bit more spread out, with Kendal creating several half-chances but failing to find the killer touch.
Bradley Dodds and Dan Shepherd both went close and Matthew Airey, doing well in the unfamiliar striker's role, in Ben's absence due to illness, had a one-on-one with the keeper but couldn't convert the chance.
After a well-worked move, Matt got clear of his marker and the keeper and slotted the ball home, only for the linesman to flag for what must have been a very close offside decision.
At the other end, Mattie Barber, Jordan and Tom Coates were doing sterling work in defence, helped by Joe Herbert as the holding midfielder.
Then came the key moment of the game, when a ball out to the far right wing was brilliantly chased down by Dean Hine, who showed a great turn of pace to reach the ball ahead of a Grange defender and then hit the perfect pass into the six yard box, and on to a plate for captain Bradley and James Lishman, who seemed to be queuing up to claim the goal, and it was Doddsy who got the final touch to cap a good performance as the attacking midfielder.
With just over ten minutes to go, Grange fought valiantly back and it needed a terrific last-ditch tackle from Mattie Barber to deny their striker a shot at goal from inside the penalty area that could well have sent the cup tie into extra time.
So Kendal go through to the second round, with their first win and first clean sheet of the season. A fine all-round performance - well done!
September 28
Kendal Utd 1, Ibis 3
A good all-round performance by Kendal Utd who, on another day, might well have got something out of the game.
The home side took the lead in the first half after pressure on the visitors' keeper by Ben Powell paid off and he slid the ball into an empty net.
The game was fairly even, with both sides playing some good football on a mild, sunny day that was perfect for the match.
Michael Smith pulled off a great save to push a shot bound for the top corner just around the post.
Ibis equalised with a well-taken goal, and it was 1-1 at half-time and game on...
The visitors then took the lead in the second half in a goalmouth scramble, but Kendal kept their heads up and started to put some sustained pressure on their opponents.
Kendal had plenty of possession and the game was largely played in the visitors' half but they defended well and restricted Kendal to just a few half chances, including a long range effort by Robbie Altinyollar that flew wide.
An Ibis breakaway threatened a third goal but great defending from Mattie Barber saw the danger cleared.
Full marks to Mattie, along with captain Bradley Dodds and Jordan Nesbit, for some really good defensive work all round.
An ex-Kendal Utd player came on as a late sub and took advantage of fresh legs to give Ibis the cushion of a two goal lead, which they comfortably held on to until the final whistle.
September 14, 2008
Milnthorpe & Dist 8, Kendal Utd 1
I couldn't make the first game of the season, as Michael was playing in a cricket cup final for Netherfield.
That meant Kendal were down to only 10 players - and missing our regular keeper - but even so they ended the first half on level terms at 1-1, with Dan Shepherd getting our opening goal of the new campaign.
Milnthorpe took advantage of their extra player in the second half, but hopefully the team can kick on from this season's opener.
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