Lancaster City 3 - 0 Penrith

A first half strike from Garry Hunter got things underway for the Dolly Blues before Mark Jackson and Ryan Winder could wrap things up in the second 45.

Hunter hit an excellent shot from the edge of the box into the bottom corner after just six minutes and it should have started a landslide of goals.

However despite dominating possession and peppering the visitor’s box with corners City could not press home their advantage, their best shot on goal came as returning striker Dave Swarbrick hit the side netting with a first time volley.

Once again Billy Akrigg took all the first-half plaudits with his brand of neat and tidy, hard-working football, the former Slyne-with-Hest man is also a real threat in the box from corners.

Captain Neil Marshall could well have nabbed a goal or two as he came close, again from set-pieces, more importantly he was assured at the back and encouragingly joined there by new-signing Glenn Steele for the second half as the Dolly Blues continue to strengthen.

Striker Jackson will not score many easier goals than his effort with twenty minutes remaining as a Ben Hudson cross bounced over Penrith ‘keeper Tom Newton and fell into the former Skelmersdale United man’s path for him to score easily.

The second half provided some ragged fare in typical pre-season fashion; the Dolly Blues were not as assured in possession while not being troubled without it.

Ryan Winder stretched the game brilliantly from right-midfield continuously taking up good positions and pulling defenders out of the game.

It was inevitable that he eventually found the ball at his feet in the box after a good passing move and he took a touch before firing home a left-footed shot, a deserved goal for some excellent all round play from Winder.

It should have been four as Swarbrick missed an easy chance as he ran on goal, faked to shoot three times and put the ‘keeper on his backside before embarrassingly slicing a shot wide from yards.

A second half highlight was striker Aaron Taylor who looked sharp and dangerous, he provided an excellent chance for his former Morecambe team mate Hunter after a brilliant driving run, the shot just blazed over the bar.

City wrap up their pre-season campaign on Friday night as they welcome Blackburn Rovers to Giant Axe.

Lancaster City: McDonald, Henry (Hudson 45), Elderton (Clark 86), Clark (Steele 45), Marshall, Hunter, Akrigg (Winder 45), Mahoney, Liley (Taylor 45), Jackson, Swarbrick

Referee: Martin Woods

Starman: Billy Akrigg A great first-half performance, seemingly has all the tools required to play at this level and beyond