SWARTHMOOR moved within four points of the Kent Valley Junior Football League Under-14s title with back-to-back wins over Milnthorpe and Ambleside.

Moor claimed a key victory at top-of-the-table rivals Milnthorpe, before marching to a 13-goal success against Ambleside – in their first home match since September – to keep up their 100 per cent record.

With three games remaining, the Park Road side now need a win and a draw to be sure of finishing in first place, with two cup finals also on the horizon as they seek a memorable treble.

The 3-0 win against Milnthorpe, in the battle of the league’s top two, saw Swarthmoor produce a stunning team performance, despite playing most of the second half with 10 men after a disappointing refereeing decision saw Jack Milburn sent off.

In an enthralling encounter, both teams went all out for the vital win which would cement their place at the top.

It was the Whites who took the lead in the first half when livewire Milburn and the bustling Freddie Burrow combined for the latter to slot past towering home keeper Harrison Allen.

Shortly after, Milburn rattled the post from a corner as Swarthmoor began to control the match, helped by a resolute defence and midfield, who gave the home team few opportunities in front of goal.

After Milburn’s dismissal, it was backs to the wall for long periods in the second half. Swarthmoor kept Milnthorpe at bay with a combination of grit, determination and a will to win, which delighted the travelling support and eventually wore down the now desperate home team.

Moor began to play slick breakaway moves, with Adam Kirby, Alfie Thorpe and Ross Lancaster creating opportunities for Arran Pender, and they finally made the breakthrough with 15 minutes to go when Pender used his power and strength to slot home.

A stunning free-kick from impressive centre-back Josh Grieve wrapped up the points as he found the bottom corner.

Coach David McKendry could not praise his players highly enough, and they built on the success at home to Ambleside.

Playing their first home match at Park Road since September 18, Swarthmoor got off to a flyer, with Burrow netting the opener within the first minute to set the tone for the rest of the match.

In a relentless display of attacking football, Milburn netted number two shortly after with an angled shot from the left of the box into the far corner, leaving the Ambleside keeper helpless.

Despite the home pressure, it was Ambleside who netted the next goal after a corner was poorly cleared and the ensuing right wing cross was expertly blasted in by Noah Stone.

This season Swarthmoor’s resolve has been one of the features of their play and, straight from the kick-off, a lighting attack allowed Burrow to net his second.

Intricate passing in midfield sent right-back for the day Kyle McKendry to burst through, take a touch and blast the ball the keeper from just inside the box for another fine team goal.

A Grieve knock in from a corner, a Mitchell Baldwin tap-in and another angled shot from left from Milburn completed the first-half scoring, with some excellent link-up play from defence through to attack.

The second half was even more impressive from Swarthmoor, with a gallant Ambleside run ragged all over the pitch, with Thorpe and Kirby controlling midfield superbly with tenacious tackling and silky skills.

Moor captain Kirby’s thunderbolt into the top-right corner from 25 yards was one to admire, with Baldwin bagging a pile-driver from outside the box and rattling the crossbar with another.

Baldwin netted another brace for his four-goal tally, with Milburn netting a further two to also bring his tally to four.