Kettering 2nds 4 - 2 Northampton Saints 2nds

A second half Helen Keyworth hat trick gave Kettering 2nds their fifth victory in a row with a convincing team performance against Northampton Saints 2nds. The game started evenly with both Kettering and Saints attacking well. Both defensives stood firm and some fine defending by keeper Amy March and her back four kept Saints at bay. Kettering continued to press and got the break through when Louise Martin made an electric run down the right hand side, continued into the D and fired home to make it 1-0. After the break Kettering came out strongly and Kirsty Smith and Helen Keyworth caused the Saints defence all sorts of problems. Smith worked tirelessly to occupy Saints strongest defender and Keyworth took full advantage of this to net three goals in the space of 15 minutes to give Kettering a 4-0 lead. However Saints were not to be beaten easily and never gave up. They broke quickly after winning the ball from a Kettering attack and struck home to make it 4-1. They continued to press and Kettering’s defence were called upon time and time again. Eventually Saints got a well-deserved second goal to make it 4-2. Kettering then ensured the game stayed that way with only a few minutes left on the clock. They were not going to let such s hard won victory slip away. Kettering start the second round of league matches next week entertaining Oundle 1st at home. Oundle ran out 7-0 winners in the first game of the season in September so this will be a real test of how Kettering have improved since then.