South Lakes 9 Kirkby Lonsdale 1

SOUTH Lakes claimed a vital win over county rivals Kirkby Lonsdale in North West Division Three North.

Both sides went into the game in the bottom half of the table – the visitors pointless and propping up the table – and on the back of defeats the previous weekend.

South Lakes came out of the blocks with some fast-paced hockey and put the pressure on to gain an early goal through Steven Bowers.

They increased the pressure on Kirkby, who had travelled with the bar 11 players, resulting in another goal from Steven Olliver.

The home defence stayed strong, withstanding pressure by Kirkby, and as the away side started pushing, South Lakes countered and Lee Storey scored from the penalty spot, and then followed-up to set up Ben Harris for a nice deflected shot which hit the back of the net.

Capable defensive work from Ben Williamson and Neil Cooke meant the hosts took a 4-0 lead into half-time.

With no options for substitutes, Kirkby Lonsdale came out for the second deflated and tired.

South Lakes continued to press, and nice play from Jamie Riseley gave them opportunities from short corners, which Marc Atkinson seized on and executed two smart drag flicks to beat the keeper.

As the game progressed the visitors tired, presenting more opportunities for the home side.

Nice inter-play between Tom Clements and Bowers gave man-of-the-match James Atkinson a one-on-one opportunity with the Kirkby keeper, and Atkinson was lethal in his execution, slotting the ball into the net to make it 7-0.

Kirkby continued gamely despite weary legs, and gained the goal they had been looking for through a short corner routine.

South Lakes bounced back almost immediately and another goal from Harris took the wind out of the visitors' sails.

With the game won, Lakes continued to press and, with the final play of the match, James Atkinson took advantage of a badly-positioned keeper to slap the ball into the back of the net.

South Lakes travel to Carlisle on Saturday for in another Cumbrian derby.