Tuesday 28th February 2023, NWCFL Premier Division

West 3 (Delaney 39, Elliott 43, 45+2)
Kendal Town 2 (Wilson 21, Kilifin 30)
Att: 353

West recovered from two goals down to defeat Kendal Town and return to winning ways in the NWCFL Premier Division.

All five goals came in a dramatic first half, with West staring at the prospect of a second successive home reverse until a turnaround that began six minutes before the interval.

Chris Rowley’s side looked in the mood to respond to the weekend defeat against Wythenshawe Town in the opening moments, with Billy Matthews and Ben Elliott spurning chances to put the home side ahead.

But it was the Mintcakes who opened the scoring just after the 20-minute mark, as Elliot Wilson nodded home a corner at the near post.

Nine minutes later the visitors had established what seemed a commanding lead, when leading scorer Thomas Kilifin rose highest to convert another cross beyond Andrew Jones.

But Kilifin’s goal roused West, and Liam Delaney reduced the arrears from another set-piece – this time Callum Jones’ low delivery was met by the West midfielder, whose shot eluded the visiting defence and crossed the line.

Jones was again influential as West hauled themselves level four minutes later – nodding Matthews’ deep cross back across the six-yard box, where the lurking Elliott was waiting to snaffle his 25th goal of the season.

And a remarkable comeback was completed in the second minute of stoppage time, when Matthews again delivered for Elliott to bundle home his second of the evening.

Elliott was inches away from his third hat-trick of the season when his second-half header deflected off the far post and away, with visiting keeper Daniel Roccia beaten.

Kendal began to commit more players forward in search of a leveller, and Andrew Jones did excellently to rush from his line and block when a Kendal forward burst through on goal.

Jones’ handling was then tested in stoppage time, when a Kendal free kick was whipped towards the far post and into the West keeper’s gloves.

But the points were spared a long journey to Cumbria as West saw out a 15th league win of the season.

West: A. Jones, Cook, Hancock (Vayro), Taylor, Hampson, Smyth, Matthews (Kirongozi), Delaney, Elliott (Swift), C. Jones (Lewens), Eme. Not used: Billington-Boateng.

Eckersley’s Plumbers & Locksmiths Player of the Match: Ben Elliott.

Chris Rowley post-match reaction

What it means

We remain in 8th place in the NWCFL Premier Division, moving onto 53 points from 31 games.

What’s next

We are on the road this weekend, heading to Squires Gate on Saturday 4th March (3pm).