Kirkby Lonsdale 3-0 Wilsmlow

Underley Park was saturated, icy rain fell from a leaden sky and was driven by a bitterly cold north wind on Saturday as Kirkby Lonsdale beat Wilmslow 3-0.
Kirkby Lonsdale beat Wilmslow 3-0.Kirkby Lonsdale beat Wilmslow 3-0.
Kirkby Lonsdale beat Wilmslow 3-0.

Playing conditions were horrendous, passes were difficult to complete and catches almost impossible to make.

Of the next forty minutes Kirkby spent thirty five of them in or around the Wilmslow twenty two and attacking the visitor’s line, Wilmslow crossed the half way line a couple of times but that was it, significantly and despite their best efforts Kirkby didn’t cross the Wilmslow line and it was 0–0 at half time.

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The things that changed in the second half were that the rain eased slightly, the wind picked up and got colder and it was Wilmslow’s turn to batter Kirkby on the same few yards of the town end of the pitch which was rapidly degrading under the pressure.

But they were no more successful than Kirkby had been in the first half as their moves broke down and Kirkby’s defence held, a stalemate developed and any thoughts of bonus point wins were replaced with hopes of survival.

The pitch had turned into a quagmire and the game was heading for a draw but with around ten minutes to play the defining moment arrived when a rare foray into Wilmslow territory saw Kirkby awarded a penalty some thirty metres out.

Tom Pickthall took it on and banged it over to make it 3-0 and earned Kirkby the victory.