The two teams who were promoted from Division Two of the West Cumbria Over-35’s Leaguer last year met at Southend Road.

Penrith took on Whitehaven Amateurs who had completed a league double over their hosts last season.

With a strong squad to choose from Penrith started much the stronger of the two sides, creating a few good chances in the opening minutes.

After only eight minutes Penrith took the lead when John Kendall chased what looked like a lost cause and his perseverance gained the home side a corner. The ball eventually fell to Mike Chubb who crossed the ball high into the six yard box and it somehow found its way past an unsighted Vince Hudson in the Whitehaven goals.

On a red hot night Penrith had the luxury of being able to use several substitutes and introduced Mark Brookes who with his first touch of the ball doubled the host’s advantage after 20 minutes when he tapped home from close range following some good work from Adam Simpson.

Penrith gave debuts to Matthew Fearn and Graeme Appleton and they both linked up superbly on several occasions with the latter’s pin point crossing seeing numerous chances go begging.

The Penrith defence was rarely tested in the first half with goalkeeper Sonny Askins a virtual spectator.

However this was all to change in the second half as Penrith seemed to go to sleep and allowed the visitors to dominate for long spells of the game. They were given a lifeline when a blatant push in the box gave referee Les Cherry no choice but to award a spot kick which was duly converted by Mark Whalley.

Penrith had to realise they were in a game now but almost immediately Whitehaven equalised when some terrible defending allowed Kevin Hudson to ghost in and beat Askins from close range.

Whitehaven should have then gone in front but Whalley was unfortunate as his fierce shot just went over the bar.

With ten minutes to go Penrith made several changes and only two brilliant saves by the Whitehaven keeper denied Alan Parkin and Adam Simpson from giving Penrith the lead.

With only two minutes to go Brookes won the ball in midfield and with a defence splitting pass found Simpson who kept his composure to finish low past the keeper from eight yards out to give Penrith the three points they maybe just about deserved in the end from a 3-2 win.

Also in Division One a very strong performance by league leaders Carlisle City all but ended Grasslot’s title hopes at Maryport.

For City a Mark Eagling hat trick and goals from Barry Pilkington and Dave Bewley ensured they took all the points.

Frizington moved up the league with a 5-2 win over second place Zimmer's. Adrian Banks (2), Robert McDowell, Gary Murphy and an own goal were Frizington’s contributions to the scoreline. For the Zimmer's Malcolm Armstrong and James Brennan scored a goal each.

In the bottom of the league clash Netherhall opened the gap between themselves and bottom club St Bedes with a 2-0 win. Gary Morrison and Dave Rushforth scored a goal apiece for the Maryport side.
 
In Division Two Frostoms were totally outplayed by a strong Silloth team who went top of the league at Moss Bay.

Silloth opened the scoring after 18 minutes when Phil Scott fired home from just inside the area. In the second half Silloth pressured the Frostoms goal and it paid off when Kevin Dixon and Norman Foster scored to round-off a 3-0 victory.
 
The Globe went second in the league with a powerful first half display against the Bluebell which built them a 3-1 lead.

Mike Sadler (2) and Mike Brelsford were the Cockermouth side’s scorers while Steve Powell responded for the Bluebell.

The Workington visitors pressed strongly in the second half but failed to create any scoring chances.
 
Howard's Rangers  took all three points in a comfortable 4-2 win over the Bush.

The margin would have been more if goalkeeper Steve Rothwell had not been in inspired form in the Bush goals.

Mark Herd (2), Kev Hewitson and Paul Brecken were the Carlisle team’s scorers while Gavin Askew and Scott Walker scored for the Bush.

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