Adam Whitehead scored twice as Windermere men’s 1st XI lifted themselves away from the foot of the North League Division Two West table with an impressive 3-2 victory at Didsbury Northern 2nd XI last Saturday.

Having not won any of their first six matches, this result was ‘Mere’s third success in a row and the match in Manchester was as close as the score suggests.

The hosts struck first with a penalty corner drag-flick, but Windermere upped the tempo after falling behind and quickly equalised after peppering Didsbury’s goal through Whitehead’s shot off the back foot.

The two teams turned around level at half-time and it was Didsbury who again forced the issue from the pushback, but ‘Mere were able to up their intensity.

They were rewarded by taking the lead when captain Will Dolman drag-flicked into the top corner following a penalty corner, although the home side quickly squared things up again.

But the fifth, and decisive goal, of the game went Windermere’s way when Ed Brownell made a great tackle before releasing Jake Sorrenson, who then squared the ball for Whitehead to slot beneath the outrushing keeper.

Windermere will look to make it four wins on the trot when they host Wirral-based side West Derby on Saturday.

There was honour in defeat for Windermere ladies’ 1st XI, as they went down 3-1 away to Lancaster University in the Premier Division of the Lancashire Central League. ‘Mere travelled with only ten players available and fielded a very young team, so deserve great credit for the way they stuck to their guns.

Everyone showed great commitment and effort and their goal came from Hannah Clark running all the way down the pitch and smashing it into the circle for skipper for the day Katie Harrison to finish with one touch.

The performance suggested an end to their seven-game losing streak may not be far away, with Garstang 2nd XI visiting this weekend.

Despite dominating for much of the play, Windermere men’s 2nd XI suffered the disappointment of a 2-0 home defeat against Formby 4th XI in the North West League Division Five North North.

‘Mere showed that they had the tools to break down a well-organised and experienced Formby defence, who survived continual pressure, but they all too often got bogged down in the final third.

They were ultimately undone by penalty corner strikes in each half from Alan Dalley.

Windermere ladies’ 2nd XI defeated Ambleside 3-2 last Sunday, with their goals coming from Sara Hartley, Tia Stainton and Lucy Elwood.