WINDERMERE battled through a tough weekend double-header to take four points over two days from a pair of Liverpool sides.

Mere started with a 3-3 draw against high-flying Liverpool University, following up with a 6-3 success against Liverpool Sefton.

The results keep them fifth in North League Division Two West, eight games off top spot, but with games in hand on most of the teams above them.

Post-Christmas lethargy showed in the performance against the third-placed University side and goals by Will Dolman (2) and Sam Whitehead were not enough for victory against the students.

Scott Santamera took the man-of-the-match award.

The performance a day later against Sefton saw goals from Dolman (2), Santamera, Rikki Barnes, skipper and man-of-the-match Keenan Quill, and Richie Jackson as they overwhelmed the Merseyside club.

Windermere seconds spent most of the weekend on the road, travelling first to Formby on Saturday, where they lost 3-1 to the Merseysiders’ strong fourth team and then losing 2-1 on Sunday in a hotly-contested re-arranged match against Southport thirds.

The scorer on both days was Steven ‘Jimmy’ Dunlop, with characteristic short-corner strikes. Man-of-the-match against Southport was fast-developing young goalkeeper Robert Curme.

Windermere Ladies made a brilliant start to the second half of their Central Lancs Women’s League Division Two season, coming away from a very soggy Preston with an 8-2 win against the hosts’ third team.

Excellent team work and commitment resulted in goals from Alice Boston (3), Lucy Hill (2), Katie Harrison, Catherine Drury and Caitlin Taylor.