GATE: Pennington, Gray, H.Webster, Moore, Bartram, Westwood (C), Riley, C.Webster, Ball, Cliffe, Boyd
SUBS: Welsh, Hughes, Kay, Chambers, Sandle

Gate kicked off 2023 last night, hosting Kendal Town at The Brian Addison Stadium. Manager Luke Evans made three changes from Gate’s Boxing Day defeat to Burscough, recalling Ryan Moore, Josh Westwood and Chris Webster in place of James Hughes, Alex Welsh and Rowan Chambers.

It was the worst possible start for Gate though, with Kendal taking the lead inside just two minutes. A dangerous ball in behind was well cut out by Westwood, but the loose ball fell to Kilifin who, after his initial effort was brilliantly saved by Pennington, smashed home the rebound.

Gate were keen to get back into the game as soon as possible though, with a couple of half chances for Boyd after well-worked moves both kept out.

Luke Evans was forced into an early change though on 21 minutes, with top goalscorer Nathan Cliffe injuring his ankle following a rough challenge on the wing. On-loan Morecambe striker Callum Sandle was his replacement.

The visitors ought to have doubled their lead on 23 minutes, as Croskell-Robinson drove into the area past Westwood, but the winger fired over from close range.

The next couple of chances fell Gate’s way though about 10 minutes later, and both to Ryan Riley. A quickly taken corner by Harrison Webster first found Riley in acres of space on the edge of the box, but he sliced well over with a first time effort. Riley then had a cross from the right swung towards goal that almost somehow ended up in the net, but the crossbar denied Gate an equaliser.

James Boyd had an even better chance to equalise on 41 minutes, with Ball finding him in behind, but the Kendal keeper denied his low effort.

Gate continued to push before the break, and once again went agonisingly close to drawing the game level. An inswinging corner from Riley was well met by Westwood at the back post, his header beat the keeper but was brilliantly cleared off the line.

Half Time: Squires Gate 0-1 Kendal Town

Both sides went close to an early goal in the second half. First it was Kendal, who headed narrowly wide after a well delivered free kick from the right.

Callum Sandle then had a rasping effort tipped away for a corner, from which Ryan Moore should have scored, but the midfielder volleyed agonisingly wide after the loose ball fell to his feet just past the penalty spot.

Gate continued to push, and a mix up at the back from Kendal presented Theo Ball with half a chance with the keeper out of position, but he struck just wide from distance. An incredible ball across goal then from Ryan Riley somehow evaded the outstretched Sandle at the back post.

Evans’ men finally got their deserved equaliser on the hour mark, and it was Sandle who scored it. A short corner ended with a seemingly harmless cross from Ryan Moore floated to the back post, but the goalkeeper dropped it right on the goal line for Sandle to tap in his first goal for the club.

Chris Webster and Nathan Bartram were both shown yellow cards on 64 and 67 minutes respectively for fouls on the half way line, before Nathan Pennington had to be well switched on to make a smart double save.

It was Gate who got the next goal though, with Theo Ball doing brilliantly down the left to cut inside into the area and show excellent composure to beat two more men and fire clinically into the bottom corner.

James Hughes and Rowan Chambers were introduced in place of Riley and Moore on 73 minutes, before Kendal grabbed an equaliser six minutes later against the run of play.

Harrison Webster was seemingly tripped on the edge of the Kendal area, but kept his feet to drive into the box before being dispossessed. Kendal countered clinically, with the ball finally landing to Kilifin who finished into the top corner to level the game up.

Chris Webster was sin-binned after the goal, seemingly for arguing the case for a Gate free-kick in the build up to Kendal’s equaliser.

Even down to 10, it was Gate that went closest to a winner on 82 minutes, and how close it was. Theo Ball did brilliantly to hold off his man and drive at the Kendal defence, feeding Sandle who placed his effort beautifully across goal, but a small bobble took the shot onto the post and into the grateful arms of the Kendal goalkeeper.

Full Time: Squires Gate 2-2 Kendal Town

An entertaining evening of football with a good performance from Gate, but one where they will feel disappointed not to take all three points. Evans’ men are straight back in action on Saturday, with a trip to Barnoldswick Town.