By Steven Oldham Cover photo: MJT Photography Carlisle City vs Shildon
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Kendal Town lose in final five minutes
Kendal Town fell to a late 3-1 home defeat to Newcastle Benfield on the opening day of the Northern League Division One.
Matt Flynn’s side looked to have bagged a point after James Bailey’s second half equaliser cancelled out Kyle Fryatt’s opener on the quarter hour.
The Mintcakes would finish the game empty handed however thanks to two late Benfield goals – with Fryatt doubling his tally two minutes from time. The previously sin-binned Joe Ames settled it decisively in the fourth minute of added time.
READ MORE: Northern League: 2-1 home win for Carlisle City
Kendal finished one place above The Lions in last year’s league table, as both sides missed out on the playoffs in sixth and seventh place respectively. The Cumbrian side came out on top in the head to head, winning the home tie and drawing away.
458 were in attendance at Parkside Road, the league’s second highest gate of the day behind the 545 who took in a 3-3 draw between Newcastle Blue Star and Whitley Bay.
Penrith pegged back
Elsewhere, Penrith have an early point on the board – but it could have been all three bar a late fightback from West Auckland Town in a 2-2 draw.
Jim Nicholls’ side struck a goal in each half through Luke Hunter and Connor Hammell – but two goals in four minutes drew the hosts level.
Craig Moody began the fightback with 15 minutes left on the clock – and Town captain Luke Bailey levelled the game shortly afterwards. 207 were in attendance.
Carlisle City in Shildon stalemate
Carlisle City – looking to improve on last season’s bottom five finish – made a positive start with a point and clean sheet in a 0-0 home draw with last year’s runners up Shildon.
After losing both games to the promotion chasers last season by a 9-0 aggregate, a clean sheet will be particularly pleasing for Gillford Park manager Dan Kirkup.
163 saw the goalless draw take place.
Northern League Division One results
Elsewhere in the league, there were victories for the likes of Northallerton Town, North Shields and newly-promoted Thornaby. The division has been reduced from 22 to 20 teams for the new season.
- Birtley Town 1-2 Thornaby
- Boro Rangers 4-2 Horden Community Welfare
- Carlisle City 0-0 Shildon
- Easington Colliery 1-2 Guisborough Town
- Kendal Town 1-3 Newcastle Benfield
- Newcastle Blue Star 3-3 Whitley Bay
- North Shields 3-1 Whickham
- Northallerton Town 4-1 Crook Town
- West Allotment Celtic 2-1 Marske United
- West Auckland Town 2-2 Penrith
Northern League Division One selected fixtures
All three Cumbrian sides are in action again on Tuesday night – with Penrith at home to Birtley Town. Kendal Town face a long midweek trip to Marske United, while Carlisle City are at home again – this time to Northallerton Town.
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