Keswick 4 South Lakes 5

SOUTH Lakes overcame their toughest test of the season to three times come from behind and take victory at Keswick.

The Cumbria League League leaders did not lead until early in the second half – and had to withstand one final comeback from their hosts to stay top of the standings.

Lakes travelled knowing the game would be no walk in the park against a team with only one loss to their names this season.

And within two minutes their nerves were exposed as Keswick scored the first goal.

The visitors did not allow the early setback to affect them, and with great build-up from Pam Robertson, Lois Viney and Catherine Cooke, they were awarded a short corner.

Rebecca Cook injected the ball to Robertson, who slipped it to her left for Jenny Clayton to bring Lakes back level.

Keswick continued to push, putting their South Cumbrian opponents under pressure.

An error in defence from the visiting side cost them as the hosts went ahead once more, netting their second of the afternoon.

Both side battled it out and neither gained anything for the next spell, but South Lakes found their second equaliser on 21 minutes.

Suze Armstrong played the ball into Cook, who played wide to Emma Armstrong. She used her speed to dribble down the pitch before crossing to Viney in the D, who deflected the ball into back of the goal.

South Lakes continued to put the pressure on, but were struggling to get through Keswick’s strong defence.

Lesley Davey, Rebekah Nuttall and Suze Armstrong worked hard to keep the home side out at the other end, but with only minutes to go before half-time, a slip-up allowed the home team to make a break, leaving Lakes keeper Joy Potter to take on two Keswick players, who played the ball around her to make it 3-2 at the break.

With some stern talk from coach Matt Cook ringing in their ears, the Reds went into the second half showing why they top the league.

Within a minute, after some fantastic play by Catherine Cooke, they were awarded another short corner. Rebecca Cook played the ball to Pam Robertson, whose strike found the goal for 3-3.

Lakes continued the pressure, and Keswick struggled to get the ball back.

The fourth goal came shortly after, as passing between Cooke, Emma Armstrong, Viney and Clayton saw Cooke play the ball into Gemma Jupp, who deflected it into the back of the net. South Lakes led for the first time at 4-3.

The skilful passing continued, and Clayton played the ball to Viney who dribbled through to find Jupp, who scored her second of the game with 17 minutes to go.

Despite Keswick being awarded two short corners, Joy Potter made some fantastic saves, with Davey and Suze Armstrong clearing the ball out wide to prevent them staging a comeback.

The hosts were still fighting as they made another break and scored their final goal, but they were unable to find a leveller.

South Lakes travel to bottom side Kendal seconds on Saturday.