It’s a return to Bedford Terrace for Kendal as they make the trip over the A66 for a consecutive Saturday afternoon. This time they arrive to face the Y&E in the 2nd Qualifying Round of the FA Vase.
It’s a 3pm kick-off today, with gates open from 2pm. A reminder that as this is a Cup game, season tickets are not valid. Thanks to Renner Kompressoren for sponsoring the match and to The Cleveland Bay & Peter Rudd for sponsoring the match ball. Your support is massively appreciated.
Last Saturday saw the Y&E come away as 4-1 winners, with the scoreline perhaps not fully representing how close the match was. Once again the Y&E were able to take our chances, with Ste Roberts, Joe Dalton, Tom Atkinson, and Mikey Roberts all on the scoresheet. A man of the match display from Reece McMann with assists galore and his pace troubling the Kendal defence.
After last weekend, both sides will now know plenty about each other and it will be another tough game for us. The question is whether or not each management team seeks to tweak their tactics and line-ups. Once again the Y&E have plenty of depth to choose from, so it will be interesting to see if Jacko looks to make any changes. With no midweek game for either side, they will be rested and ready for the game.
To get to this round, Kendal had a 2-1 home win against NWCFL side Steeton AFC. The Y&E were 1-0 victors away at NCEL Premier side Thackley, with a late Tom Atkinson goal being the difference. Last season the Y&E reached the 1st Round Proper with a hugely enjoyable 1-0 win away at Pickering Town. A Callum Roberts penalty save and a Ste Roberts penalty, alongside a superb defensive effort, saw us through to Round 1.
Kendal made it to the second qualifying round last season after a 5-2 away win at Tow Law, but they lost 1-0 away at Horden in the 2nd qualifying round.
Guy has got the pitch in fine condition, and with a little bit of rain this morning, the ball will be zipping across the pitch. The weather forecast is decent for the afternoon, the lads are up for it, and a place in the next round on the road to Wembley is at stake. Should be a cracker. We’ll have match programmes and 50/50 draw tickets for sale, and the café is well stocked. See you there!!