KENDAL men kept their North West Men's League season on the boil with a comfortable 6-1 win away at Liverpool Sefton.

With three regular players unavailable, Kendal were grateful to Russ Miller who returned from his skiing holiday just in time to set off for the game.

Within 40 seconds of the pushback Kendal had the ball in the back of the net thanks to the ever-alert John Cochrane.

Liverpool were rocked back and the Greens went on to give one of their best displays of champagne hockey throughout the first half.

The strike force of Russ Miller and John Cochrane provided excellent outlets for the midfield, while skipper Bradshaw was at his best as he dictated play.

The Kendal engine room of Bradshaw, Alex Birtles, Jon Elleray and Chris Ousby were on top and found good support from the wide backs Martin Boyd and Fran Tidmarsh.

Steve Barclay supplied the second goal with a crashing delivery from a penalty corner before Miller went on his own personal goal spree, rifling in three goals in quick succession.

The best of these was his second strike. Kendal turned over possession as Barclay made a perfectly-timed tackle on his own 25 line, played a neat one-two with Bradshaw before releasing the ball wide to Martin Boyd.

A first-time pass reached Cochrane who turned his man drove into the D to commit the keeper and gifted Miller an open goal with a square pass - textbook stuff from start to finish.

Miller completed his hat-trick just before half time for Kendal to go in to the interval 5-0 up and cruising.

With the match already won, the Greens stepped down a gear for the second half and granted Liverpool more of the possession. There was disappointment for keeper Josh Chacko, who has been virtually unemployed on the field for the last two matches, when he mistimed a clearing kick to give Liverpool a consolation goal.

Although Kendal remained in control, they only scored one more goal when Cochrane made his customary scamper through a bemused defence.

Kendal went temporarily top in the division by virtue of Bowdon not yet having their result recorded.

This Saturday Kendal have a crucial encounter with Lytham St Annes at the Cinder Ovens. Lytham lie in third place, three points behind but having played an extra game.

Windermere had a blank weekend and are four points clear of Didsbury Northern, needing to win two of their last seven games to take the Division 8 title. They are at Bowdon in Cheshire on a water-bassed pitch this Saturday.