Kendal Town made progress in the FA Vase with a very good 3-1 home win over Northern League side Guisborough Town.
Particularly in the second half Kendal produced some excellent football and were only really tested when a penalty capped a late surge but the hosts were able to see it through comfortably.
It had been fairly even in the first half with the visitors having a goal disallowed for offside and Tom Kilifin going close for the hosts with a shot just wide after twisting and turning in the box.
Just when it looked like a goal-less half Kendal grabbed the lead on 42 minutes when Steve Yawson cleverly beat three defenders in the box before drilling in the opener. It was a fine solo goal.
Kendal started to show some classy touches in the second-half as they grew in confidence from taking the lead.
On 50 minutes Kilifin got on the end of a Rob Wilson cross but his header skimmed the top of the bar.
Yawson was a constant thorn in Guisborough’s side and it was completely against the run of play when the visitors broke and a cross should have been stuck away at the far post by Joe Bartliff but his header was poor.
Showing how to do it on 76 minutes, Hammond headed in a free kick from Wilson to double the Kendal lead.
Two minutes later Kendal scored again when they cleared a Guisborough free kick and Finley Lynch collected a ball played forward quickly to go round the keeper and drive home for 3-0.
A perfect day for Jimmy Marshall and his men would have been a clean sheet but in the 90th minute Guisborough were awarded a penalty and Cole Kiernan scored a consolation.
Kendal had made a late signing on Friday night and goalkeeper Danny Roccia made his debut in the Vase win.
Roccia, 34, has joined on dual registration from Bamber Bridge where he has been for a number of years after previously playing for Charnock Richard.
Chairman Michael O’Neill said: “We’ve known about Danny for a good while because he is an experienced keeper and one who Bamber Bridge wanted to give game time to.
“We were happy to do that and the experience showed through in the Vase win over Guisborough.
“It was a very good performance and should put us in great heart for Tuesday night when we have a big game at home to Bury.”
