Kendal Town collected three deserved points from their first-ever trip to the Isle of Man.
The Mintcakes took 100 fans to the island for the North West Counties League fixture and brought back positive impressions.
Chairman Michael O’Neill said: “It was a thoroughly enjoyable experience and the win was the icing on the cake.
“We were delighted to have so many of our supporters on the trip and I’m sure when word gets around we will have more going next season.
“The game itself wasn’t helped by a swirling wind inside the stadium but for the most part we controlled it and were deserving winners 3-1 in the end.
“They had a big, experienced centre-forward who caused us a few problems but generally we were in charge for long periods.”
The travelling Kendal fans helped boost the attendance to 677.
Kendal had gone ahead on 14 minutes when one of the Isle of Man defenders slid in to try and cut out a low, fizzed in cross but only succeeded in putting it into his own net.
O’Neill said: “I felt a little sorry for him because we had a far post runner coming in for a tap-in so it would have been a goal either way.”
That lead lasted until the 56th minute when the hosts were awarded a soft penalty which was banged home by Jack McVey.
Kendal regained the lead on 67 minutes with a fortunate goal from James Stanley.
When he launched a far post cross it was caught by the wind and dropped over the startled home keeper.
The points were clinched on 76 minutes when substitute Finley Lynch just got in ahead of the keeper to squeeze the ball home from close range.
Kendal were able to see-out the rest of the game without too much trouble and will now prepare for Tuesday’s trip to Congleton in the League.
