Words by Ash Stone
Promotion-chasing Kendal Town edged out a significant victory at Teesdale Park – as the ‘see-saw’ form continued for Simon Kasonali and Craig Skelton’s men.
Thornaby perhaps started the better of the two, level at the break as debutant Sonni Coleman cancelled out Josh Winder’s opener from the spot.
The Mintcakes came out much-improved in the second period, and James Bailey capitalised on a defensive mistake to thump home the decisive goal.
By far the brighter after an impeccably observed moment of silence, Dale Milburn was unlucky not to see Thornaby ahead when he met James Sayer’s low cross with the back of his heel.
The wide-man nodded into Chris Cheetham’s grasp on the follow-up, again testing the shot-stopper from the flank with just minutes on the clock.
It was somewhat against the run of play when Josh Winder reacted the quickest to a loose ball to fire Kendal Town ahead.
His lead lasted all of three minutes. A foul on Sonni Coleman gave the debutant a chance from the spot, and he remained composed to tuck it away.
Luke Drummond rose highest from a corner to twice see Thornaby inches away from a lead of their of own. Harry Alderson returned from injury to keep James Bailey out at the other end.
It was again the Blues on the front foot when play resumed. Chris Cheetham denied a lively James Sayer from close-range, before Shaun Ryder’s attempt was blocked from afar.
Alderson again reacted quickly to stop James Bailey from nodding Kendal in front, but a defensive mistake soon gave the visiting forward a chance he simply couldn’t pass up.
The Mintcakes edged possession for the remainder of the contest, as chances came at a premium.
Thornaby’s creative spark seemed to dwindle as the minutes ticked by, and besides Shaun Ryder’s wayward free-kick – marginally so – nothing much came to pass as the travelling contingent claimed the three points.
