Mossley 0 - 4 Kendal

A CRAIG Carney double ensured Michael Stringfellow’s tenure as permanent Kendal Town manager got off to a winning start in a resounding victory over high-flying Mossley in Evo-Stik Division One North.

Kieron Pickup opened the scoring early on with his fourth goal in six games before Mossley striker Mitchell Bryant, who scored twice in the 3-2 reverse at the Lancaster and Morecambe College Stadium a fortnight ago, saw red.

The Mintcakes took advantage of the extra man and sealed the victory with a Carney brace before Mark Jackson rounded off the victory with a late penalty.

Having spent the previous fortnight in caretaker charge, Stringfellow showed faith with the side which secured a point at Burscough but was forced into one change as Ricky Mercer replaced the suspended Kieran Walmsley.

Despite first half opportunities coming at a premium, Kendal could have been chasing a deficit inside the opening 60 seconds.

Mossley’s Tom Pratt caused real danger down the right and his cutback hit the heel of Rory Winters.

While the ball span back into the arms of Danny Macdonald, referee Mr Bernard deemed Winters’ action to have been a back pass.

Bryant’s shot from the subsequent indirect free kick was well blocked on the line by Warren Beattie, despite home protestations claiming handball on the line.

It was that early scare which brought Kendal to life and the away side took the lead shortly after.

Jackson’s right wing cross was weakly headed clear by Mossley captain Josh Granite and Pickup’s unstoppable volley nestled into the bottom corner.

Bryant, a constant thorn in the side of the visitors defence, was to be the provider of the decisive moment in the match in the second-half - but perhaps not in the way he would have hoped.

Having been booked in the first half, the striker’s needless shove on Mercer on the hour mark proved to be an indiscretion too far for the referee.

And the Mintcakes seized upon their man advantage in the final 30 minutes.

Influential midfielder Rob Wilson played a substantial part in all three subsequent Town strikes.

Kendal’s second came on 68 minutes.

A long cross-field ball by Wilson was headed in from the edge of the penalty area by Carney over the stranded Andrew Farrimond in the Mossley goal.

Just four minutes later, Kendal had their third and Carney had grabbed a quick-fire brace.

The midfielder curled in Wilson’s cutback from the edge of the 18-yard box before the marauding Wilson was brought down in the penalty area with just three minutes remaining.

Jackson confidently placed the resulting spot-kick into the bottom corner to seal a comfortable three points.