Keswick Smash Seven Past Preston

Having had their Xmas break prolonged due to various cancelled games, the Cumbrians currently find themselves in fourth position and although hold games in hand over the leading pack, games in hand have a habit of not turning into points so it was a necessity that KWC dusted off any cobwebs that may have surfaced.

Earlier in the season Keswick managed to take all three points away from todays counterparts in a very open, goal lavished fixture proving that the visitors are more than capable of finding the net.
KWC maintained their usual solid backbone squad and although Mark Bowen and Paul Randell were missing, Edwin Brown was called up in line to make his first team debut.

A good was start was imperative to get a hold on the game and thankfully, Keswick had to wait merely 40 seconds to open the scoring. KWC pushed forward down the and after fine inter-passing, Rikki Barnes was presented with a shot on goal but selflessly teed up Robert Owen for the simplest of finishes at the back post.

Barnes almost helped himself to another assist minutes later after a neat one two with Morgan, however the outstretched captain was unable to divert home with the keeper beaten.

Morgan didn’t dwell on the miss for long -smashing home a vicious strike from a short corner after 10 minutes to give the hosts a deserved 2-0 advantage.

Preston showed signs of class in small glimpses and pushed forward when possible, forcing a couple of short corners which were well dealt with by the solid Keswick defence although Preston’s keeper made a couple of vital last ditch saves.

KWC continued to surge forward at each opportunity and despite the early domination of possession, as the half progressed the game became more of a balanced contest and as half time arrived, the fixture was poised for an interesting second half.

Preston now seemed to have their heads back where they needed to be in order to mount a challenge but if it were possible, their start to the second half was worse that the first. An almost carbon copy of the opener was only different due it this time being Mark Proctor applying the final touch and the game was all but put to bed. Woe was further piled on the visitors when three became four, this time Rob Cook jinking round the defence before converting the finesse finish passed the unlucky keeper who almost managed to pull off another fine save.

The game was now in danger of becoming a romp and Cook continued the trend by collecting the ball on top D before unleashing an unstoppable back stick strike into the top corner which could already be pencilled in on the shortlist for goal of the season.

Confidence continued to grow in the Keswick camp and the passing was both fluent and effective however against the run of play, Preston won a rare short corner and converted with a drag flick to give some credibility to their efforts. This however, was soon eradicated and the 5 goal lead restored when Swanston collected the ball down the left and dribbled into the ‘D’ before smashing the ball into the net leaving the keeper without the chance to even move.

Barnes was unlucky not to find himself on the scoresheet after excellent tracking down earnt himself a strike going narrowly wide - however when presented with the same scenario moments later, again unselfishly set up Cook for the easiest of his hat-trick goals to round off a superb display for Keswick all round.